STACK #181 Nov 2019

MUSIC REVIEWS

visit stack.com.au

Archie Roach Tell Me Why “This story’s right, this story’s true, I would not tell lies to you.” Nearly three decades after we first heard it, Took The Children Away remains one of the most powerful examples of Australian storytelling. A new version, featuring Paul Grabowsky’s poignant piano, opens this collection, a companion to Archie Roach’s new memoir. Roach digs deep, recording the first song he wrote, Open Up Your Eyes . “At 15 I left my foster home,” he sings, “looking for the people I call my own.” The album includes duets with Tiddas’ Sally Dastey, Emma Donovan (a superb Mahalia Jackson cover) and Paul Kelly ( Rally Round The Drum ). A remarkable story.

Paul Kelly Songs From The South There have been some changes: Bradman remains in the line-up, but Shane Warne has been dropped. Paul Kelly’s songs about sex, death, love, and cricket now stretch to a third Greatest Hits set. This update gathers songs from his five most recent albums, including the APRA Award-winning Firewood and Candles , and adds two fine new tracks – his song with Dan Sultan about Adam Goodes titled Every Day My Mother’s Voice , and an endearing duet with Kasey Chambers, When We’re Both Old & Mad . If anyone you know is wondering why Paul Kelly is considered our finest songwriter, just give them a copy of this 43-song collection. (EMI) Jeff Jenkins

Airbourne Boneshaker Airbourne wanted to call their fifth album This Is A Real F-cking Rock ’n’ Roll Record . Like their heroes AC/DC, Airbourne keep the formula simple: balls to the wall, fist in the air. No keyboards. No ballads. Airbourne have gone fromWarrnambool to the world over the past 15 years, showing there’s still an audience for the classics. Singer/guitarist Joel

O’Keeffe is like Bon and Angus – a ball of energy in one electrifying package. Though his lyrics don’t quite match Bon’s cheeky wit, he has a wicked rock scream. His brother, Ryan, delivers the thundering drums, while Boneshaker showcases new guitarist Matt Harrison (ex-Palace Of The King). Airbourne made the album in Nashville with producer Dave Cobb, but the vibe is Alberts in the ’70s – think AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and The Angels. With songs such as Sex To Go , She Gives Me Hell and Backseat Boogie , Boneshaker is not particularly woke – but it will wake the neighbours. This Is Our City is a love song to Melbourne, while Rock ’n’ Roll For Life is a glorious musical manifesto. Simple is not easy, and you have to be clever to make Big Dumb Rock. Rock will never die while Airbourne are alive. (Spinefarm/Caroline) Jeff Jenkins

(Bloodlines) Jeff Jenkins

Neil Young & Crazy Horse Colorado Neil Young – who first started playing with his band Crazy Horse 50 years ago – has recently released Colorado , the group's first new album together in seven years. With guitarist Frank Sampedro retired, Young and longtime members bass guitarist Billy Talbot and drummer Ralph Molina have added E Street Band member Nils Lofgren to the line-up. In a move which may surprise long-time fans, Young has included a number of introspective, surprisingly gentle love songs, that sit comfortably alongside his more musically aggressive statements on immigration, ecology, climate change, and apathy. If the 13-minute track She Showed Me The Way is any indication, Young is in a good place musically and personally. (Warner) Billy Pinnell

DragonForce Extreme Power Metal

Van Morrison Three Chords and the Truth 'Age shall not weary them' is an apt catchphrase to describe Van Morrison, now in his 75th year, who has recently released his sixth album in just four years. On this batch of 14 new original compositions, Morrison mines his soul/R&B influences on the title track Early Days , and Up On Broadway refers to the music that inspired him as a teenager in Dublin. The gentle, bluesy You Don't Understand Me – which reminds me musically of Bob Dylan's Ballad Of A Thin Man , with lines such as "You can't trust human nature" – and the cautionary Read Between The Lines were more than likely inspired by chapters in Morrison's book of life. The album features guest appearances from legendary guitarist Jay Berliner who played on Morrison's Astral Weeks album, and singer Bill Medley, formerly of The Righteous Brothers, who provides vocals harmonies on Fame Will Eat The Soul . (Caroline) Billy Pinnell

Opeth In Cauda Venenum

DragonForce have finally embraced their inner geek and gone all-out, embracing all their influences. While they've always acknowledged their love of gaming, over-the-top musicianship, and power metal, it wasn't until now that they made it so obvious. The cover alone tells you all you need to know about the music within, and if that isn’t enough, their version of Celine Dion’s signature tune, My Heart Will Go On , should drive the point home. DragonForce are one of those polarising bands: you either love them or hate them, and that’s a good thing in a musical landscape that tries to appeal to all listeners at all times.

The highly anticipated new album from Opeth has arrived, and it’s a solid piece of work. Musically it’s line with the band's last three albums – that is, progressive rock/ metal, minus their death metal roots. So what, if anything, is different? Not much, other than Mikael Akerfeldt’s decision to sing the album in Swedish, which gives the songs a new feel. It’s a smart move, opening up a new avenue for Opeth to explore, as well as adding some mystique. Akerfeldt did, however, feel the need to appease his English-speaking fanbase, by recording an English version as well, which is available as a double-CD edition. (Nuclear Blast/Caroline) Simon Lukic

(Metal Blade) Simon Lukic

60

NOVEMBER 2019

jbhifi.com.au