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visit MUSIC REVIEWS
20 JULY 2016
MUSIC
Death Angel
The Evil Divide
At the moment, Death Angel can
do no wrong. Since reforming in
2001 after an absence of 10 years,
the Bay Area veterans have gone
from strength to strength. The Evil
Divide finds the five-piece giving it
their all as they throw themselves
into each song, delivering a
consistency that’s jaw dropping.
Everything (and I mean everything)
one expects of a thrash metal
album is here, including raging
guitars, punishing rhythms,
spiteful vocals and neck-snapping
hooks. Death Angel may not have
the notoriety or success their
peers enjoy, but they are certainty
out-performing them. Metallica
should be listening.
(Nuclear Blast/Caroline)
Simon Lukic
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Getaway
Who says you have to age
gracefully? The Californian party
boys are back with their eleventh
record, The Getaway. They've
teamed up with super-producer
Danger Mouse to create an
ambitious, sophisticated effort –
anchored by Flea’s sleazy bass,
as always. Just like on any other
RHCP album, frontman Anthony
Kiedis tells romanticised tales of
his hometown, but this time it's
reflective; it's the poetry of a true
rock ‘n’ roll journeyman, who uses
his yearning vocals to tackle the
consequences of his grandiose
lifestyle and the trials of growing
old. It’s a little bit psychedelic, a
little punk, a little bit funky and it’s
everything you’ve come to expect
from these legends.
(Warner)Tim Lambert
Ace Frehley Origins Vol. 1
Ace Frehley, the original space
man and illustrious KISS guitarist,
returns with an album of cover
tunes that pay respect to his
influences. Joining Frehley is a
formidable cast of characters that
will interest many. Slash features
on the Thin Lizzy classic Emerald,
while Lita Ford lends her talents
to Wild Thing . Rob Zombie’s six-
stringer John 5 and Pearl Jam’s
Mike McCready play on the KISS
songs Parasite and Cold Gin
respectively, giving Origins Vol. 1 a
familiarity that fans will enjoy. The
most notable collaboration is with
KISS frontman Paul Stanley on
the Free hit Fire And Water ; the
two haven’t appeared on an album
since 1998 and it makes for a
nostalgic highlight.
(EntertainmentOne)
Simon Lukic
Bat For Lashes
The Bride
Don’t get too blissed-out by the
autoharp trills and churchy swells
of I Do. Natasha Khan's bride is
destined for horror in this spooky
song cycle exploring the bond
of love beyond death. Thunder
cracks over the eerie premonition
of Joe's Dream. Electro cadences
grow ominous and visions
macabre in In God's House.
The car crash of Honeymoon
Alone rips open the twilight
zone between waking nightmare
(Never Forgive The Angels) and
dreams of eternal romance (Close
Encounters). Turns out time's a
great healer, but Khan's trademark
choral creepiness and darker turns
of tune are so compelling that the
chirpy piano ending is a bit of a let
down.
(Warner) Michael Dwyer
Oh Pep!
Stadium Cake
Oh Pep!’s debut album is a step
in the right direction. Dubbed
Stadium Cake, it's the first full
release from the Melbourne duo
of Olivia and Pepita (get it?), who
earlier this year signed to Dualtone
Records (The Lumineers). While
you'd expect their popularity to
expand at least as a by-product to
the fame of the similarly lyric-
driven Courtney Barnett, these
guys will no doubt make their own
waves with their fresh, authentic
and emotive folk-pop mix. Tracks
to look out for are Doctor Doctor
and Only Everyone, especially
if you’re on the hunt for some
Sunday Sipper vibes. Don’t forget
to catch them on tour at the end
of next month. Qu'ils mangent de
la brioche.
(Remote Control) Alesha Kolbe
ood Charlotte
outh Authority
verybody put up your hands, it’s Madden season
and thankfully we aren’t talking about the game,
ither. Youth Authority is Good Charlotte's sixth
tudio album, and though it’s the first in as many
ears, it’s truly the GC of old. The new release
feels as familiar and comfortable as your favourite
Cosby sweater, and is certainly worth the wait for fans. 40 Oz. Dream is
an awakening to the modern world we live in, where your mum's "taking
selfies” and “rappers are singing”, and is certain to tickle your nostalgia
when actual music videos on MTV are mentioned. Whatever happened to
those good ol’ days? Also worth a spin is Makeshift Love just to hear the
phrase “triage in my living room” uttered in song, and they’ve even got
Sleeping WIth Sirens' frontman Kellin Quinn to feature on the stand-out
Keep Swingin’. A four-year hiatus hasn’t damaged their ability to ignite the
angst-fuelled teen in the best of us: the Super Madden Bros. are back
with their perfect pop-punk prowess, and any fan young and/or hopeless
would hate to miss out. (MDDN/Kobalt) Alesha Kolbe
The John Steel Singers
Midnight At The Plutonium
For anyone who thought The
John Steel Singers peaked with
last album Everything’s A Thread
and its galloping apex in State of
Unrest, Midnight At The Plutonium
might shock you. It tilts hard into
funk and groove, with frantic bass
work, layers of oohs and ahhs and
seductive sax blasts. Besides the
ecstatic eight minute-long Can
You Feel The Future, these are all
radio-ready cuts, from the gyrating
Weekend Lover to the vibrating
snap of R Train to the wind-down
of Taxi Or Walk. Track titles loosely
follow the progression of a night
from midnight to dawn, opening
with rapture and closing with
regret. Given funk’s burgeoning
revival, Midnight is one of the
smartest adaptations yet.
(Remote Control) Jake Cleland