Song #98: Dead Letter Circus - "Here We Divide"

What a pleasant surprise in my email inbox this morning! “Hey dude,” writes a friend of mine. “Thought you might want to hear the new Dead Letter Circus song, so here it is.” Well, thank you very much, my good man! Having seen DLC just over a week ago, it’s very exciting to hear that their debut album is done with recording and is set for a mid-May release. Anyone who’s been following the band for awhile would be more than aware that they’re not the kind to disappoint, making their debut easily one of my most anticipated releases of the year.

This new track, Here We Divide, continues on with the sound established by earlier DLC records which mixes an Edge-style lead guitar with effortlessly technical rhythms and Kim Benzie’s distinctive, impeccably powerful voice raising hell atop of proceedings. Even at nearly five minutes and some forms of repetition that seep through the song’s movements, it keeps your interest and engages you as a listener right up to the final crescendo. That’s the great thing about this band – I’ve been racking my brain and can’t think of even one bad song these guys have. It’s an impressive track record, that’s for sure; and I doubt that will change much when the album drops.

What else can you say? Dead Letter Circus are something to get enthusiastic about. Let’s do so!

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

DLC’s debut is out in May. Don’t forget to check out the band’s website to explore Project Dead Letter, which is a really cool series of footage in relation to the recording of the album. Very nice!

x
David

Song #97: Calling All Cars - "Disconnect"

You know you’ve got a good song on your hands if your only words after hearing it for the first time are “fuck” and “yeah” in quick succession of one another. Such was the case for the brand new single for Melbourne band Calling All Cars. I’ve been enjoying these guys for quite some time – they’re a bouncy ball of energy live and they’re always keen to chat at the end of their gigs, handing out fliers for the next gig (and, given their hard working schedule, there is ALWAYS a next gig). Now, fresh from a tour with AC/DC and Wolfmother, the three-piece are readying their debut album, entitled Hold, Hold, Fire.

Disconnect, the lead single, more or less sums up everything that’s great about this band. It’s punchy, ridiculously catchy and incredibly tight, with each member contributing to the overall sound in a positive light. The chorus alone is one of the best things I’ve heard all year – the thing has hooks as sharp as nails that will lure you in and then savagely tear at your body. Am I getting too violent? Maybe, but fuck it: Disconnect is awesome.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8.5

Hold, Hold, Fire comes out on the 12th of March. Also, they’re about to go on tour with Grinspoon. Fuck yeah.

x
David

Song #95: Crash Tragic - "Simple Separation"

Saw these guys opening for Gyroscope and A Death In The Family at uni. A Wollongong band who’ve been around the block a few times with bands like Kisschasy, Trial Kennedy etc., I probably should like at least something about these guys. They seem nice enough and they’re going for a catchy pop-punk sound. It all falls apart, however, after one look at them (they all look well into their thirties), the fake American accent and the horrid simplicity of it all. It’s weak bunny-mosh styled music that’s very basic in its execution, which loses almost all of its identity within the first minute – Simple Separation is a perfect example of this. I’m sure they’re nice guys and all, but they’re getting WAY too old for this shit.

FINAL RATING (/10): 3.5

Their new EP is out now. Wotevs.

x
David

Song #93: Timbaland feat. Jet - "Timothy Where You Been"

I finally got around to sussing out Timbaland’s Shock Value II guestlist. It was nowhere near as strong as the first go around which had Elton John, Dr. Dre, Fall Out Boy, Missy Elliott, Nelly Furtado, etc. This is all Chad Kroeger, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, The Fray, Drake…y’know, somewhat good, but definitely not great. Of particular interest to me, however, was the collaboration with Australian band Jet. The song that Timbaland samples for the song Timothy Where You Been is, strangely enough, Timothy, the final track on Jet’s Get Born album. For all the crap the band gets, Timothy is actually one of their best works. It’s a heartfelt ballad around the story of Timothy Cester, the eldest Cester sibling (Nic is the vocalist and Chris is the drummer), who died before Nic was born and was mentally disabled.

With this in mind, it’s strange and a little offensive to think Timbaland has taken the song to be an “all-about-me” ego trip. Sure, the interpolation and reworking of Timothy is very cleverly done, but it’s no secret that Timbo is not a very good rapper or lyricist. His flow is menial and his rhymes pointless – perhaps the rhyme of “Nelly Furtado” and “escargot” could have been avoided if he wasn’t trying to big-up himself and name-drop at the same time? Ahh, who knows. The point is that the whole thing is great when Timbaland keeps his mouth shut. Isn’t that the same for nearly everyone of his tracks to begin with, though?

FINAL RATING (/10): 5.5

Shock Value II is out now.

x
David

Song #88: MM9 - "Talking to Himself"

 

Did I miss something here? Last I heard, Many Machines on 9 were a heavy rock band with hints of electronica that had simple, fun and catchy songs like New Chemistry. The next I hear, they're just MM9 and have started to sound like Good Charlotte. Their debut album, The Air Between, is a very awkward listen for people who've listened to the band for awhile. It's a big, glossy pop-rock sound that the group have found for themselves, with the vocals landing somewhere inbetween Disturbed's David Draiman and Joel Madden. I have no idea where this has all come from, but it really doesn't suit them. It's trying way too hard and ends up tripping over its own feet. In short, if you liked them before there's a good chance you won't like them now.

FINAL RATING (/10): 3.5

The Air Between is out now.

x

David

Song #86: Axis of Awesome - "BirdPlane"

The best thing about Axis of Awesome is how they are easily able to take one simple idea and turn it into the most ridiculous, hilarious thing possible. The trio performed on the garden at my university, and it was pretty easy to tell that we were loving every second of it. This track in particular was a huge favourite. The parody only works, however, if you're familiar with your 2000s hit singles.

Remember Five For Fighting? No? How about Superman (It's Not Easy)? Ringing a bell. Now we're getting somewhere. What this song does is takes the first few lines of the original and then goes insane.

I can't stand to fly
I'm not that naive
I'm just trying to find
The better part of me

I'm more than a bird
I'm more than a plane
And in come the Axis:

I'm a BirdPlane!

The rest of the song goes off on this tangent of singing about how awesome life is when part of you is a bird and the other part is a plane. And come on, that does sound pretty awesome! A definite listen for fans of clever parodies that are after something non-Weird Al.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

Check out the video!



x
David

Song #78: Art VS. Science - "Magic Fountain"

I got to see the Gossip last night. That was incredible, they put on a fantastic show and I got to meet them all as well. Such a thrill, I nearly started bawling. Before all that pussy crap happened, though, these boys came on.

No doubt you will have heard this lot via one of their hit singles like Flippers or Parles Vous Francais? It's big, dumb, fun music that's easy to get into and very well made. Magic Fountain was the first track of the set, and t appears to be a part of a batch of new material that will be on their debut album. The song is pretty crazy, with lead singer Dan going on a bit of a David Byrne/Robert Forster trip with eccentric spoken-word vocals and some crazy whispers. I can barely remember the story that was being told, but it was all very mystical - almost Bowie-esque. Another very silly song, but probably another hit for these kids.

FINAL RATING (/10): 7

Jolly good, AvS.

x
David

Song #75: Angus and Julia Stone - "Hold On"

 The Stone siblings, Angus and Julia, have returned with their second album, Down the Way. These two have always had a knack for some sweet, beautiful tunes, but they've also written some pretty boring tracks in their time. Thankfully, this little number that opens Down the Way is one of the best things they've done musically.

Julia takes the lead on this one. She still sounds like a little kid, but it's easy to look past - she's very cute and she can keep a tune well enough. The simplistic drum pattern works perfectly as it builds up the song at various accentuated points, as well as the reverberating electric guitar and the wonderful chorus that really assists the song in picking up a notch. If you listen to anything from this record, I strongly recommend it is this very song. Loving it.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

Down the Way is out next month.

x
David

Song #73: Cameron Smith - "The Grey Man"

Cameron Smith is an Australian musician, formerly of the brilliant Epitomes, and also a good friend of mine. Recently, he did a very special bedroom recording for his younger brother, Curtis, and his eighteenth birthday. What a lovely, brotherly thing to do!

The song is The Grey Man. Fans of Copeland will recognise the song from their final album, the incredible You Are My Sunshine from 2008. Cameron plays everything himself here - the guitar, bass and percussion all sounding very impressive for such a low-budget quality. His voice, even though the falsetto is out of his range, also sounds really good - the bridge sees some distorted vocals and even dual harmonies come into play, which works surprisingly well. A perfect cover? No, sir. But if someone got me this for my birthday, I wouldn't be complaining!

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

You can download Cameron's version here.

x
David

Song #70: Gyroscope - "Some of the Places I Know"

So, Gyroscope are back. The Perth boys have been over in London working away on their fourth record, Cohesion. They've solidified themselves as one of Australia's better mid-card bands over the years and have yet to put out a bad album (though none of their releases are without their flaws). I'm still certainly optimistic about the album, although the lead single, Some of the Places I Know, has put me off a little.

This is the shiniest, most well-produced and radio ready song the band have ever produced. And this doesn't sound like Fast Girl or Beware Wolf that were all "well, this is the stuff we like to play, guess some people like it". This shit is all "we want to have a top 10 single bro". It's not an offensively bad song, but it feels too predictable and lacking in passion to really get into. It feels contrived to rock out to, in a way, which is certainly confusing for a band like Gyroscope - they are really genuine dudes who have made great music in the past. Here, though, I'm not sold just yet.

FINAL RATING (/10): 5.5

The single is out now, the video is below.
Cohesion will be out in April.




x
David

Song #64: super FLORENCE jam - "Ghetto Project Fabulous"

 

I got the debut EP from super FLORENCE jam to review alongside Neon Indian's album and Stroke, the compilation CD for Chris Knox. Stroke was excellent, Neon Indian was boring and this...well, this was garbage.

These kids are posturing themselves as the new saviours of Oz rok-n-rol.They fail on several levels, notably their singer sounding like an inbred Andrew Stockdale. The song has no hooks, just irritation repetition. The guitar is lame, the drums are weak, the vocals have a case for justifiable homicide...ahh, fuck this, I don't want to write about this anymore!

FINAL RATING (/10): 1

Fuck this band!

x

David

Song #61: Pikelet - "Weakest Link"

Pikelet is awesome. I met this one-woman act in April last year, as she (real name Evelyn) played drums for both Jeffrey Lewis and Darren Hanlon. It was rad! She promised to have some new material out soon, and finally now I get to hear it!

Weakest Link has sweet, high-pitched melodies and squealing keyboards that trail along its clickety-clack drumbeat as if they are taking in their tripped-out, reverb-laden surroundings. The harmonies, especially, are lovely and guide the song in the best direction possible - upwards, twiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirllllllllingggg towards freedom! Not a lot else to say, really - if a psychedelic take on indie pop tickles your fancy, give this one a go!

FINAL RATING (/10): 7.5

Weakest Link is up now on MySpace and Pikelet will be touring again throughout the year. Make sure you go and see her!

Song #53: The Retreat - "The Weather (Cloudin' Over)"

Okay, got a lot of ground to cover over the past six days, so here we go:

I went and saw Dan Mangan for the third and final time on Friday. He's the one I blogged about back at Song #37. This was his last show in the country before flying back to Canada (ehh), and it was such a thrill to see him off. Of note, however, were his support act - The Retreat.

This Sydney band play a low-key, charming style of countrified pop-rock that recalled acts like Bob Evans, Bright Eyes and even a young Ryan Adams. This song in particular was a charmer. Its major chord progressions and sugar-sweet harmonies were simple but incredibly pleasant. It will also make you want to give lead singer Ross a big hug - and the dude works at JB HiFi in Pitt Street, so there's easily a chance to do so. You have been warned.

FINAL RATING (/10): 7

Follow the doodz on Twitter and the Spaz, etc.

x

David

Song #49: Operator Please - "Logic"

Everyone is always very quick to bash on Operator Please. Most were annoyed with their runaway hit Just a Song About Ping-Pong, and their age (all under 21 at the time) was easy to make fun of (early silverchair, anyone?). I personally like to think that it was just how upbeat and boisterous the band were - both on CD and live - that peeved people. Add in some smart-arse lyrics ("Just out of curiousity/Can you tell me how old I'm supposed to be?"), and you're sure to have a band that can get on people's nerves.

I'll always love them, though - not just because I count Amandah Wilkinson (vocals/guitar) as a mate. They represent freedom, apathy towards negativity, making music for the love of music - they're a fuckload more real than you'd think. With this, I've just sampled their new single from their forthcoming second album, entitled Logic, and I really like it.

If you follow Amandah on Twitter (@operator_please), you'd know how much she loves a bit of Prince. I can definitely hear that love in the slinking bass and funked-out groove that welcomes the listener into the song. It's only fleeting, though - this isn't going to turn into Let's Go Crazy anytime soon. What I enjoy the most about Logic is that it sees the band faced with a pretty serious musical question - "So, what next?" - and taking it on with substantial confidence. There's a lot going on here, but above all it's still distinguishably an Operator Please song: fun, dancey and clever.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8.5

Head over to their MySpaz and suss that shit, baby.

x
David Please

P.S: HALFWAY MARK TOMORROW! YIPPEE!

Song #44: A Death in the Family - "Erasing the Maps"

I wrote up some email Q and As today for the site I write for, FasterLouder. One was for hardcore band Every Time I Die, and the other for these guys - headliners of the very-cool-looking Blood, Sweat and Beers festival, A Death In The Family.

I decided to listen through all of the songs on their MySpace page as I was writing up the ten or so questions I wanted to ask them - including questions about the festival and opening for Rise Against. I've always had at least a passing interest in this band and what they do, but it was in this simple lunchtime task that I came to appreciate them a lot more. This track in particular was a favourite - passionate and very rough around its edges, delivered with plenty of heart with no abandonment of a shout-along hook in order to remain "punk" necessary. ADITF are a very quality band, and I believe it's perhaps Erasing The Maps that will be the first to convince you of this. For fans of acts like The Gaslight Anthem, Hot Water Music, Against Me!, Polar Bear Club, etc. - y'know, the good shit.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

Don't forget to grab a BSB ticket, too! Head to www.annandalehotel.com.au and suss it out!

x
David

Song #40: Let Me Down Jungleman, Gently - "Cobargo Drama"

Woo! Another landmark! How exciting. Another hectic weekend, so here's the three songs from the past three days.

First up, a very cool band that I saw for the first time on Saturday, opening for a one-off Epitomes reunion - the name's Let Me Down Jungleman, Gently. They immediately intrigued me on the basis of having two lead vocalists that both played instruments, as well as the fact they weren't playing the kind of music I'm used to seeing at tiny south-coast gigs. There was melody! Song structure! Time signature changes! ...okay, that probably made everything else sound shit, but I'm so used to straightforward hardcore that this was a real surprise.

Not complaining in the slightest, for the record. This track in particular was fantastic - strong vocals, a thick twisting bassline and a compromise between abrasiveness and cohesiveness. Think At the Drive-In if there was more of a focus on Jim Ward's vocals (no, not Sparta, shut up) and you're on your way. It's a track even Frenzal Rhomb/Triple J man Lindsay "The Doctor" McDougall has shown some appreciation for - so perhaps that's a bit of incentive?

FINAL RATING (/10); 8.5

Mostly, the bonus .5 is for the fact their two-track demo has a stroke of real red paint on it. Mad cool.

Check it all out on Triple J Unearthed.

x
David

Song #39: Break Even - "November 18th"

 Last night, I had the privilege of seeing hardcore supergroup Burning Empires live, which was huge for me but strangely enough not for a lot of the other people there. The crowd was surging forward and subsequently going apeshit for a band I'd previously never listened to - Perth's Break Even.

Currently wrapping up their Endless Bummer tour with BE and The Amity Affliction, this quartet couldn't match the intensity of Empires, but they still put on a fairly enjoyable show. This track in particular - the finale of their debut album, The Bright Side, stood out in particular. It's aggressive, but also very open in its emotion - a trait that only the very best hardcore can do. Its recorded version is also significantly less heavy than when it was performed live. Rather than seeing this as a flaw, I perceive it to be an indication of the kind of passion they put into their live show. I'm now definitely keen to listen to a bit more of these guys.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

The album is out now.

xxx
David

Song #38: Brendan Maclean - "Beat Me To It"

I'm happy to count myself not only as a fan of Mr. Brendan Maclean, but also as a friend. He recently sent me his new EP, entitled White Canvas. I'm happy to report on its excellence - the title track is possibly my favourite thing he has ever done. This track in particular, however, has struck a chord with me. And we're talking major, none of that minor-seventh shit.

The song is a tender piano ballad on the topic of loneliness and isolation. That might sound generic as hell, but it's Maclean's personality and his way around slender baritone melodies that accentuate this song's features above everything else. With only hints of jazz-brush drumming to accompany his voice and piano playing, it's considerably stripped-back, and works wonders as a result of it. It is also the sign of a great songwriter when the lyrics come across as exceedingly personal, yet you feel as if it's instantly a cinch to relate yourself to. Brendan is on to something here, I just know it.

FINAL RATING (/10): 9

If you're in the Wollongong area, I'll be playing drums and guitar for Mr. Maclean on the 13th at the Oxford Tavern. If you're in Sydney, you can catch Brendan's EP launch at Cronulla's Brass Monkey on the 22nd.

xoxoxoxo
David

Song #37: Dan Mangan - "Robots"

Ever been to Tomerong? Didn't think so. Neither had this guy before Wednesday. His name is Dan Mangan and he's a singer-songwriter from Canada. People thankfully don't think he's slow, ehh. Rather, everyone at the tiny community hall watching this charming twentysomething performing with his fellow-countryman bassist and two of the guys from Australia's own Dead Letter Chorus, thought he was a dead-set charmer. 

 

Mangan is in the country to promote his new record, entitled Nice, Nice, Very Nice, whilst opening for the wonderful Charlie Parr. This track in particular stood out, as it was the last track he performed and he took crowd participation to the mostly-elderly crowd and unexpectedly delivered. The simple lyrics and melody of "Robots need love too/They want to be loved by you" are charming in an anti-folk kind of way, but when put in with a small crowd singing it in perfect harmony, with just the right acoustics, it becomes pretty special for some strange reason.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8.5

Catch Dan and Charlie tonight in Sydney, tomorrow in Katoomba and Cronulla on Tuesday. You won't regret it.

xoxo

David

Song #21: Miami Horror - "Sometimes"

I've been hearing the name Miami Horror a lot lately. Good PR? Whatever it was, the most I'd heard of them previously was walking past a tent at Splendour in the Grass earlier this year and someone on stage thanking the crowd - "Thanks, we're Miami Horror". The psuedo-cool name intrigued me, but more important things were at hand - trust me, once you've had a Byron Bay organic donut, you will know EXACTLY what I'm talking about.

I finally got around to hearing this artist late night on Channel [V], with a bizarre video to accompany it. This is synth/electropop straight out of the Van She/Cut Copy 80s-worshipping mold. Actually, this does remind me a fair bit of early Van She - I found their first EP to be patchy and pretty annoying, but I could see the potential to make something great (which they did with their formidable V album). In the same respect, the song's overt cheesiness is hard to grate away, in addition to how uninspired the bulk of it sounds. There's salvation to be found, however, in the form of the chorus and the Depeche Mode-esque guitar sounding off in the distance of the track. The kids are going to eat this up, but I'm still convinced there's got to be something better in the works.

FINAL RATING (/10): 6

Miami Horror are playing the Big Day Out and also opening for Lily Allen at her sideshows.
Here's the vid for the song, if you were interested:



xx
David