STACK #138 Apr 2016

REVIEWS MUSIC

Babymetal Metal Resistance

Sindrome Resurrection: The Complete Collection Sindrome remain one of the death/ thrash metal scene’s greatest bands. Having released only two demos – Into The Halls Of Extermination (1987) and Vault Of Inner Conscience (1991), greater success eluded them despite being an underground favourite during the era. After decades of silence, countless bootlegs and having rejected offers for an official release, the day has finally arrived for Sindrome to once again be recognised for their art. Resurrection doesn’t disappoint in the slightest, with a bonus track from the …Extermination demo sessions and an entire live show from 1988 adding to the already ear-watering package. Fans of Slayer, Sepultura, and Dark Angel must pick this up. (EMI/Century Media) Simon Lukic

Despite what many believe to be the case, the heavy metal genre is the most diverse and accepting of all musical styles, even if it’s a manufactured entity like Babymetal. Like all things Japanese, Babymetal is quirky and eccentric, but what else would you expect from an act that labels their music "kawaii metal", as in “cute metal”? The biggest hurdle for many will be their ability to adjust to the sickly sweet J-Pop vocals of Su-Metal, Yuimetal and Moametal. The music itself is a mixture of the recognised aspects of DragonForce, Meshuggah and in some instances, Prodigy, making for an interesting experience. (CookingVinyl/Sony) Simon Lukic

Various The Glory Days of Aussie Pub Rock Turn it up to 11. Get close to the speakers. Imagine your shoes are sticking to the floor. Have a drink in one hand as you thrust your other hand in the air. Welcome to this four-CD collection that will have you recalling drunken pashes, sweat, smoke, hangovers and great music. According to Cold Chisel’s manager Rod Willis, the glory days of pub

rock were 1979 to 1983, when bands such as Chisel, The Angels and the Oils were filling beer barns across the nation. Rockin’ the suburbs. As Paul Kelly said, “Small venues were my university,” and Peter Garrett explains that “every Australian band comes from a different pub, and it’s there they define what they’re about.” It was a tough environment; you had to be good and you had to rock, though bands such as Models, Mondo Rock and Mental As Anything managed to push the pop boundaries. It was a male-dominated scene, though this 91-track (!) compilation features a surprising number of female-fronted acts, including Divinyls, Stiletto, The Numbers, Wendy and the Rocketts, XL Capris and Baby Animals. And it also showcases some lesser-known acts such as The Elks, The Boys and Texas. Death to disco, here’s to Volume Two! (Festival/Warner) Jeff Jenkins

MUSIC

Bill Chambers Cold Trail

Various God Don't Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnson Blind Willie Johnson (1897-1945) was a gospel blues singer and guitarist. While most of his songs had a religious theme, he drew from both sacred and blues traditions. Johnson made only 30 recordings, characterised by his riveting singing and fingerpicking, slide guitar style that would influence musicians for years to come. The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Cowboy Junkies, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, Sinead O'Connor, Maria McKee, Luther Dickinson, Lucinda Williams ( Nobody's Fault But Mine ), Rickie Lee Jones and TomWaits ( The Soul Of A Man ) offer inspired interpretations of the iconic artist's most seminal material. (Only Blues) Billy Pinnell

Paul Carrack Soul Shadows One of the great singers in popular music, Carrack first made his mark as lead vocalist on How Long (Ace), Tempted (Squeeze), and The Living Years (Mike &The Mechanics). In between touring and recording with, among others, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, Elton John, and B.B. King, he's released 18 solo albums including this one on which he plays most of the instruments and wrote all the songs. Some explore the shifting dynamics in relationships, Bet Your Life relates to gambling addiction, and Soul Legacy with its big band sound name checks James Brown, Sam & Dave, Levi Stubbs, and Jackie Wilson. (Planet/MGM) Billy Pinnell

Teddy Thompson & Kelly Jones Little Windows A few years ago Teddy Thompson and Kelly Jones discovered they had something special while singing a George Jones song together on stage in LA. Thompson – the son of folk singers Richard and Linda Thompson, his background quite surrounded in music – and Jones, quite unknown to me but herself a solo performer, set out to write and record an album of timeless country songs. Harking back to the sounds you’d find in country duets of the '50s and '60s, their poppy, sweet and magical harmony singing conjures up images of Emmylou and Gram hanging out with the Everly Brothers. (CookingVinyl) Denise Hylands

Bill Chambers is not only Kasey’s dad and guitar player but also an incredible artist in his own right: singer, songwriter, storyteller, producer and one hell of a guitar player. On his fourth studio album Chambers plays it honky-tonk, hillbilly and rockin’ all the while telling his road-worn tales. Songs of highways travelled, lost loves and hard times sung in his distinctive whiskey soaked growl keep true to his respect for real country, folk and blues. He is the real deal – Australia’s very own John Prine – and should be recognised as one of our best. (Whitewater Music/Check Label Services) Denise Hylands

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