Archive for the ‘’ Category

Slade – Gudbuy T’ Jane

Apparently Jane was the host of a San Francisco talk show that Slade appeared on. We have a lot to thank Jane for. Gudbuy T’Jane was one of a string of hits for Slade most of which featured mis-spelt titles, but to me this was the best of those songs. Apparently young Jane was a bit uppity and the line “Got a kick from her ’40s trip boots” is a reference to her kicking Noddy Holder... Read the full story

The Decemberists, Bridezilla – Billboard

I was going to commence this review of The Decemberists first performance at Melbourne’s Billboard with the statement “The Decemberists are what The Hold Steady would be had the latter grown up in Portland listening to The Kinks, Squeeze, Lloyd Cole and The Waterboys rather than in Minneapolis listening to Springteen, The Replacements, Soul Asylum and Tom Petty”. But then I purchased the cleverly... Read the full story

Them Crooked Vultures – Festival Hall

Let’s pretend. Last week I hired a DVD from my local store. It was the full first season of True Blood, but that’s not important. When I opened the DVD up I was surprised to see a Ticketmaster concert ticket fall out. Actually two fell out, but one of them had been torn in half and it looked like the other half might have been used for a filter on a joint. I’m not sure what made me think that... Read the full story

Unknown Country – Broderick Smith (Liberation)

Broderick Smith doesn’t really need to tailor his albums to please anyone anymore. Realistically, it wouldn’t matter what he does, he’s not going to receive widespread radio airplay or get his videos on television or suddenly have a new mass of fans turning up to his shows. He has enough credits in the band to avoid the need to prostitute himself at this point. With this in mind he’s able to... Read the full story

Little Moon – Grant-Lee Phillips (Yep Roc)

Grant-Lee Phillips would have to be one of the most reliable recording artists of the past fifteen or so years. From his band records under the Grant-Lee Buffalo banner to a string of solo albums, he has barely put a foot wrong. He hasn’t ever threatened to become a monster act either but for his loyal legion of admirers that’s probably an acceptable state of affairs. I hope his bank manager shares... Read the full story

Celebrity Skin – Hole

This was the moment when we stopped and thought that maybe, just maybe Courtney Love was going to defy expectations and deliver something extraordinary. This song is simply spectacular. Courtney Love – punk rocker, turned tabloid disaster-area turns on the celebrity culture that has so offended her and spits in its eye and kicks it in the nuts as she leaves. She takes aim at the culture of “hooker/waitress/model/actress”... Read the full story

Chuck Prophet

Chuck Prophet was formerly a member of the group Green on Red and alongside Dan Stuart that made him a major player in the birth of so-called alternative music in the 80’s – a scene that gave rise to the likes of REM, The Replacements and the Dream Syndicate and who caused many a college kid of that time to skip classes and form bands or even worse start writing florid prose about them. I should... Read the full story

Billy Bragg Goes Digital

For the first time ever, Billy Bragg’s complete solo catalogue is now available digitally also now packaged with bonus tracks and b-sides for Bragg completists. After years of on again off again digital availability, one of counterculture’s most singular songwriting voices steps into the digital realm full force with this offering from Yep Roc Records. Yep Roc is offering all ten albums, many... Read the full story

Syd Straw – Surprise

Syd Straw seemed to arrive from deep in the heart of nowhere in 1989 when this wonderful, under-rated album appeared on the scene. But wherever she came from she sure made some good friends fast. The album was produced by Straw with a couple of production collaborators including  none other than  Van Dyke Parks and Daniel Lanois. She performed songs written or co-written by Peter Holsapple, Michael... Read the full story

Shock! – Peter Buck Guests On An Album

Serial “special guest” Peter Buck of REM is going to pop up on yet another album. This time he is working with with Gary Lightbody, the frontman of Snow Patrol in Portland on Lightbody’s  new side-project Tired Pony. Also among the ranks are recent REM producer Jacknife Lee, REM sideman Scott McCaughey, Iain Archer, Richard Colburn of Belle and Sebastian, & Troy Stuart. “Peter is one... Read the full story

Next Page >