STACK #150 Apr 2017

MUSIC REVIEWS

visit stack.net.au

Polish Club Alright Already “Watchuknow about us?” David Novak sings on Polish Club’s debut record. Not a lot, to be honest, apart from the fact that a Sydney duo hasn’t made this much glorious noise since The Mess Hall. Polish Club are alive on arrival, injecting much-needed life into the rock scene. If you’re looking for a local retro reference point, their brand of rock ’n’ soul, with hooks aplenty, is like a slightly unhinged version of Johnny Diesel and the Injectors. And before the term 'R&B' was co-opted and corrupted, it sounded very like Polish Club. “Come party with me,” they sing – an invitation you can’t resist. All right, Polish Club are all ready for stardom. (Double Double/Island Records) Jeff Jenkins

Bleeding Knees Club Chew The Gum ChewThe Gum is only four tracks long but it's full of the cheeky garage punk that these Gold Coast hooligans are best known for. While founding member Jordan Malane has stepped away from the group, frontman Alex Wall has added Nick Leighton (drums), Gio Alexander (bass) and Michael Barker (guitar) to the band to beef out their fuzz-filled tracks. Cyber Doom is for those wasting their lives away online, title track Chew The Gum calls to anyone who's worked at something they love until they hate it, and Sun House is for the souls still thinking about that fling last summer. Hopefully this killer EP is a sign of things to come. Let’s not leave it so long between drinks next time. (Inertia)Tim Lambert

Bad//Dreems Gutful Our big burnt land has been in an electronic craze for close to a decade, but before that we had our golden era of music: rock ‘n’ roll. Leading the revival are Adelaide maestros Bad//Dreems, and their sophomore album Gutful is a no-frills, completely honest account of life from four blokes still working day jobs in between becoming one of the premier

live bands in the country. The ‘pub rock’ label isn’t something that sits particularly well with the band but maybe that’s because of the chauvinistic preconceptions that surround it. For me, it’s all about honest storytelling: no bullsh-t, no effects and no social constructs around what popular music should sound like – and Gutful ticks every box. The opening riff of Johnny Irony – courtesy of axe-man Alex Cameron – slots somewhere in between Cold Chisel and The Angels, while lead single Mob Rule tackles Australia’s rising racial strains and the penetrating, tension-filled Feelings Remain is the cry for help from anyone battling depression. There are also lighter pockets: Make You Love Me is Bad//Dreems’ bleeding heart, while 1000 Miles Away and By My Side are your more traditional tales of heartbreak and love. Any form of subtlety is removed for the title track: "Had a gutful of speed and coke, had a gutful of your racist jokes, had a gutful of Australia Day, had a gutful of the USA.” This is some of the most genuine, righteous storytelling you’ll ever hear. (Ivy League Records)Tim Lambert

Body Count Bloodlust Considering the ills currently facing the world, a new Body Count record seems like the perfect response. Political and in your face, the band – led by rapper Ice-T – haven’t softened their approach, making Bloodlust a release fans will eagerly embrace. Ice-T rapping over metal riffs was always going to be intriguing, but it didn’t always work; the presence of Vincent Price (AKA Vince Dennis of Steel Prophet) and most recently, Juan of The Dead (AKA Juan Garcia of Agent Steel) have upped the metal credentials, giving Bloodlust the musical crunch to back up the verbal rhetoric. Guest appearances from Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Randy Blythe (Lamb Of God) and Max Cavalera (Sepultura), as well as a cover of Slayer’s Raining Blood , add to the experience. (Century Media) Simon Lukic

Ayreon The Source Arjen Lucassen’s project Ayreon has been the benchmark for progressive metal/rock ever since he released The Final Experiment back in 1995. Lucassen’s nous in using guest musicians – often the cream of the genre's crop – has paid dividends, not only in raising Ayreon’s profile, but expanding the musician's palette. Like many past Ayreon releases, The Source is a concept album, covering a multitude of moods and styles. Lucassen’s musicality is astonishing when taken as a whole, but his compositional talent is exceptional. Unlike Dream Theater , Ayreon is immersed in the '70s, giving an album like The Source a retro feel without sounding antiquated. (Mascot Label Group Cool Green Recordings/Warner) Simon Lukic

Rodney Crowell Close Ties Rodney Crowell is a gifted songwriter with an incredible knack for telling a story, and singing with heartfelt sincerity. Much awarded and respected, he recently released two outstanding albums with longtime friend Emmylou Harris. Close Ties is an honest and deeply personal account of his life, from moving to Nashville in 1972, to his friendships with iconic artists Guy and Susannah Clark (Guy sadly passed away from lymphoma last year), and all the way through his 50-plus years in the biz. Guests include John Paul White (Civil Wars), ex-wife Roseanne Cash (daughter of Johnny) and Sheryl Crow. Like a good wine, Crowell just keeps getting better with age. (NewWest Records) Denise Hylands

Little Hurricane Same Sun Same Moon Formed in San Diego, California in 2010, Little Hurricane - guitarist/lead singer Anthony ‘Tone’ Catalano and drummer/ singer Celeste ‘CC’ Spina - defy the limitations of the 'rock duo' label with their brilliantly conceived new album. Each of the dozen songs has something different to offer: fuzz guitar and thumping bass on the title song, an acoustic arrangement ( Moon’s Gone Cold ), hints of reggae ( You Remind Me ), a driving instrumental ( March Of The Living ), and two memorable pop songs – Take It Slow, and the unashamedly romantic OTL (One True Love) , which references CC and Tone’s marriage in 2016. (Mascot) Billy Pinnell

18

APRIL 2017

jbhifi.com.au