STACK #205 Nov 2021

MUSIC REVIEWS

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Tiny Little Houses Misericorde

Courtney Barnett Things Take Time, Take Time Courtney Barnett’s third solo release is considerably more mellow than previous albums, though her capacity to make everyday musings feel profound remains. Changing things up instrumentally, an electronic drum plays a starring role across the record, the beat setting a relaxed pace for album highlights Sunfair Sundown and Turning Green to shine. Here’s The Thing is also remarkably different in tone, taking on a more meditative route as flourishes of Barnett’s guitar evoke a dreamy soundscape. Equally surprising and charming, Things Take Time, Take Time is Barnett’s most accomplished work to date though perhaps more significantly, the album marks a new chapter for one of the country’s most beloved songwriters. (Milk!/ Remote Control) Holly Pereira

FEATURE ARTIST

Punchy, almost aggressive lyrics define Tiny Little Houses’ second album, delivered through an explosion of shoegaze haze and distorted riffs. Marked by their signature poignant intensity and unflinching desire to get to the core of the emotional wound, it’s a clearer and more exploratory piece of work than anything we’ve previously seen. Misericorde is a record that would be as comfortably at home in 1994 as it is in 2021. Lead singer Caleb Karvountzis’ distinct vocals skip and trip over solid, droning guitars and floating drums, a partnership that lends itself to another beautiful release from the Melbourne quartet. (Ivy League) Jacqui Picone

Tex Perkins & The Fat Rubber Band Tex Perkins & The Fat Rubber Band Tex Perkins possesses a relentless rock ’n’ roll spirit – wild, unpredictable and free. Few music careers have been as diverse. And now he has yet another new band, a collaboration with Melbourne’s Matt Walker. “I don’t know where this restlessness is taking me,” Perkins admits in My Philosophy , one of the many

standout tracks on the self-titled debut for Tex Perkins &The Fat Rubber Band. The band name suggests something flippant and throwaway, but this record is a keeper: a sturdy, swampy treat that showcases some superb songwriting. Check out the epic beauty of For A Love Long Gone , which is both heartbreaking and haunting, with an unforgettable guitar solo. One of the themes of the record is trouble. “Trouble always come to me, trouble always goes,” Perkins notes in Danger Has Been Kind . Later, he declares: “Goodbye trouble, because you ain’t no friend of mine.” But there’s also a strange sense of contentment at the heart of the album. Perkins appears to be a rarity in the music world – the rock star happy with his lot in life. “I probably have some deep regrets,” he confides, “but none really come to mind. I just play whatever hand I’m dealt.” Long may he be a free spirit. The album starts: “You don’t know where you’re goin’ ...” Just strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. (Source Music) Jeff Jenkins

Tori Amos Ocean To Ocean

Lucinda Williams Lu's Jukebox Vols. 1 - 6

Paul Kelly Paul Kelly's Christmas Train Paul Kelly doesn’t do things by halves. Twenty-five years after his Christmas classic HowTo Make Gravy , he’s delivered his first Christmas album, a 22-song set that’s epic, educational, festive and fun. All are welcome on Kelly’s Christmas Train, probably the most eclectic Christmas collection ever released. Waleed Aly reads a piece from the Quran. Lior leads a beautiful version of the traditional Jewish song Shalom Aleichem . Marlon Williams sings O Holy Night in Maori. Kelly records a couple of new Aussie crackers – Casey Bennetto’s Swing Around The Sun and Chris and Wes Harrington’s Christmas . Alice Keath sings a verse of Silent Night in German. And before you know it, Kelly and Alma Zygier are wondering, What Are You Doing NewYear’s Eve? And there’s a new version of Gravy . All aboard! (EMI) Jeff Jenkins

The Buoys Unsolicited Advice For Your DIY Disaster The Buoys light up! All-girl band The Buoys step up to the big league with the release of their third EP, Unsolicited Advice For Your DIY Disaster. “There’s something, it draws me in,” Zoe Catterall sings in the opening cut, Bad Habit . It’s a fitting introduction to a record that’s just six tracks, but sounds complete, and leaves you buzzing and excited for this Sydney band’s future. If you were alive in the ’90s, the EP will elicit glorious flashbacks to bands such as Hole, Veruca Salt, L7 and The Breeders, with big guitars and big pop hooks. Check out Lie To Me Again , which sounds like an instant alt-rock classic. “You’re next to me, but miles away,” the song starts innocently enough, before building to become a savage

Tori Amos wrote and recorded her new album while in lockdown in Cornwall in South West England, where she lives. As a wife, a mother and a working musician, a need to dig deep emotionally resulted in her most personal work in years. These new songs explore the restraints of the pandemic for people all over the world who can't travel, be with loved ones, and – for musicians – perform live. As a US citizen she was also affected by the storming of the Capitol last January. electric guitar and orchestration, embellishing the sense of mystery that accompanies her lyrics. Vocally, she's never sounded better. (Decca) Billy Pinnell Musically, she introduces her songs with piano, pan flutes,

Lucinda Williams is an incredible singer, songwriter and storyteller, but she’s also an awesome interpreter of other people's songs. Last year – with her amazing touring band – she presented a series of livestream concerts to benefit her favourite live venues hit hard by the pandemic. Throughout the series Williams pays and plays tribute to Tom Petty &The Heartbreakers, Southern Soul: From Memphis to Muscle Shoals , A Night Of Bob Dylan Songs, A Night of '60s Country Classics (pictured above) , Have Yourself A Rockin’ Little Christmas With Lucinda and A Tribute to the Rolling Stones . Every single one of these albums is amazing. This is Lucinda and The Buick 6 at their best.

(CookingVinyl) Denise Hylands

kiss-off to an ex-lover. (Spunk) Jeff Jenkins

26 NOVEMBER 2021

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