STACK #141 Jul 2016

MUSIC REVIEWS

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Bat For Lashes The Bride

Death Angel The Evil Divide

Don’t get too blissed-out by the autoharp trills and churchy swells of I Do . Natasha Khan's bride is destined for horror in this spooky song cycle exploring the bond of love beyond death. Thunder cracks over the eerie premonition of Joe's Dream . Electro cadences grow ominous and visions macabre in In God's House . The car crash of Honeymoon Alone rips open the twilight zone between waking nightmare ( Never Forgive The Angels ) and dreams of eternal romance ( Close Encounters ). Turns out time's a great healer, but Khan's trademark choral creepiness and darker turns of tune are so compelling that the chirpy piano ending is a bit of a let down. (Warner) Michael Dwyer

At the moment, Death Angel can do no wrong. Since reforming in 2001 after an absence of 10 years, the Bay Area veterans have gone from strength to strength. The Evil Divide finds the five-piece giving it their all as they throw themselves into each song, delivering a consistency that’s jaw dropping. Everything (and I mean everything) one expects of a thrash metal album is here, including raging guitars, punishing rhythms, spiteful vocals and neck-snapping hooks. Death Angel may not have the notoriety or success their peers enjoy, but they are certainty out-performing them. Metallica should be listening. (Nuclear Blast/Caroline) Simon Lukic

Good Charlotte Youth Authority

Everybody put up your hands, it’s Madden season – and thankfully we aren’t talking about the game, either. Youth Authority is Good Charlotte's sixth studio album, and though it’s the first in as many years, it’s truly the GC of old. The new release feels as familiar and comfortable as your favourite

Cosby sweater, and is certainly worth the wait for fans. 40 Oz. Dream is an awakening to the modern world we live in, where your mum's "taking selfies” and “rappers are singing”, and is certain to tickle your nostalgia when actual music videos on MTV are mentioned. Whatever happened to those good ol’ days? Also worth a spin is Makeshift Love just to hear the phrase “triage in my living room” uttered in song, and they’ve even got Sleeping WIth Sirens' frontman Kellin Quinn to feature on the stand-out Keep Swingin’ . A four-year hiatus hasn’t damaged their ability to ignite the angst-fuelled teen in the best of us: the Super Madden Bros. are back with their perfect pop-punk prowess, and any fan young and/or hopeless would hate to miss out. (MDDN/Kobalt) Alesha Kolbe

MUSIC

Oh Pep! Stadium Cake

The John Steel Singers Midnight At The Plutonium For anyone who thought The John Steel Singers peaked with last album Everything’s A Thread and its galloping apex in State of Unrest , Midnight At The Plutonium might shock you. It tilts hard into funk and groove, with frantic bass work, layers of oohs and ahhs and seductive sax blasts. Besides the ecstatic eight minute-long Can You Feel The Future , these are all radio-ready cuts, from the gyrating Weekend Lover to the vibrating snap of R Train to the wind-down of Taxi Or Walk . Track titles loosely follow the progression of a night from midnight to dawn, opening with rapture and closing with regret. Given funk’s burgeoning revival, Midnight is one of the smartest adaptations yet. (Remote Control) Jake Cleland

Red Hot Chili Peppers The Getaway Who says you have to age gracefully? The Californian party boys are back with their eleventh record, The Getaway . They've teamed up with super-producer Danger Mouse to create an ambitious, sophisticated effort – anchored by Flea’s sleazy bass, as always. Just like on any other RHCP album, frontman Anthony Kiedis tells romanticised tales of his hometown, but this time it's reflective; it's the poetry of a true rock ‘n’ roll journeyman, who uses his yearning vocals to tackle the consequences of his grandiose lifestyle and the trials of growing old. It’s a little bit psychedelic, a little punk, a little bit funky and it’s everything you’ve come to expect from these legends. (Warner)Tim Lambert

Ace Frehley Origins Vol. 1 Ace Frehley, the original space man and illustrious KISS guitarist, returns with an album of cover tunes that pay respect to his influences. Joining Frehley is a formidable cast of characters that will interest many. Slash features on the Thin Lizzy classic Emerald , while Lita Ford lends her talents to Wild Thing . Rob Zombie’s six- stringer John 5 and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready play on the KISS songs Parasite and Cold Gin respectively, giving Origins Vol. 1 a familiarity that fans will enjoy. The most notable collaboration is with KISS frontman Paul Stanley on the Free hit Fire And Water ; the two haven’t appeared on an album since 1998 and it makes for a nostalgic highlight. (EntertainmentOne) Simon Lukic

Oh Pep!’s debut album is a step in the right direction. Dubbed Stadium Cake , it's the first full release from the Melbourne duo of Olivia and Pepita (get it?), who earlier this year signed to Dualtone Records (The Lumineers). While you'd expect their popularity to expand at least as a by-product to the fame of the similarly lyric- driven Courtney Barnett, these guys will no doubt make their own waves with their fresh, authentic and emotive folk-pop mix. Tracks to look out for are Doctor Doctor and Only Everyone , especially if you’re on the hunt for some Sunday Sipper vibes. Don’t forget to catch them on tour at the end of next month. Qu'ils mangent de la brioche. (Remote Control) Alesha Kolbe

JULY 2016

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