STACK #189 Jul 2020

MUSIC REVIEWS

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The Beths Jump Rope Gazers

Gordi Our Two Skins

When New Zealand band The Beths released their 2018 debut album, Future Me Hates Me , they found themselves touring the world, missing home and wondering if they were worthy. Their second album is filled with songs about self-doubt, including Just Shy of Sure , Do You Want Me Now, Don’t Go Away and I’m Not Getting Excited . “These days I’m struggling to stand my own reflection,” Elizabeth Stokes sings. But the strength of this record – a glorious, ’90s-inspired, indie-pop excursion – explodes the impostor syndrome. The Beths will have you digging out your old records by Clouds, The Falling Joys and Liz Phair – and Jump Rope Gazers sits comfortably among them. (Dew Process) Jeff Jenkins

The door slams. And Gordi sings, “Do you see yourself unravelling?” It’s a powerful opening to Aeroplane Bathroom , the first cut on Gordi’s second album. Our Two Skins follows 2017’s Reservoir , which took her from Canowindra in NSW (population 2381) to the Top 20, and amidst the new-found fame, she found herself falling apart on a plane to Europe. Our Two Skins shows that Gordi (real name Sophie Payten) is a great artist, one who’s not afraid to share her innermost thoughts and emotions. “I have these moments where I panic,” she confides. “When I shut down and go manic.” Bubbling with a restless, nervous energy, Our Two Skins is a mesmerising masterpiece.

DMA's The Glow

Becoming one of Australia’s biggest bands off the back of a single track seemed inevitable when DMA’s first emerged in 2014 with the groundbreaking Delete . Now three albums in, the group’s sound has reached new euphoric heights on The Glow , with a continued shift towards more electronic production

– an exciting change for the guitar-based band. The album’s title track is an early highlight, combining Tommy O’Dell’s unmistakable vocal with a buoyant instrumental backing that leaves a wonderful afterglow. Hooks are certainly the band’s speciality, with tracks building up to triumphant choruses that will no doubt form part of the band’s canon. (I OHYOU) Holly Pereira

(Liberation) Jeff Jenkins

Split Enz True Colours (40th anniversary reissue) Originally released early in 1980, Splitz Enz's fifth album marked the band's emergence as a major force in Australian pop music, spending 10 weeks in the number one spot. The album's chart success had a lot to do with newest member Neil Finn's contributions as a songwriter; his I Got You , the album's first single, also went to number one, providing a springboard for True Colours ' ultimate success. Saturation airplay for I Got You , I Hope I Never and Poor Boy on the nation's new FM Radio networks gave this great album maximum exposure over the following twelve months. To celebrate True Colours ' 40th anniversary, four coloured vinyl editions will be released, while the CD version will include seven additional bonus tracks of in-concert performances. (Warner) Billy Pinnell

Bob Dylan Rough And Rowdy Ways

The time couldn't be more ripe for a new Bob Dylan album to emerge; his first in eight years, consisting of original material, includes three songs released over six weeks as singles. A Murder Most Foul – a 17-minute epic and the longest song he's ever released – is virtually a recitation set to music in which Dylan relates the story of JFK's assassination mixed with oblique pop culture references and historical events. The reflective I Contain Multitudes – with allusions to William Blake, Anne Frank and The Rolling Stones – is interpreted as a country ballad. False Prophets – with lyrics like "I sing songs of love, I sing songs of betrayal" – is enhanced by a guitar-laden blues feel. At the age of 78, Bob Dylan has released one of the most eagerly awaited albums of 2020. (Sony) Billy Pinnell

Various Music From The Home Front OST

Music FromThe Home Front has a lovely link to the Mushroom Group’s rich history – the company’s first album was a triple record celebrating the Sunbury Festival in 1973. Nearly five decades later, Michael Gudinski would not have envisaged compiling such an unusual live album, where the artists are isolated

at home and collaborating via computers. This is a laptop live album but, appropriately for Anzac Day, it’s a record that’s all about mateship and the spirit of collaboration, showcasing a mix of legends and younger artists, and songs old and new. Colin Hay and Delta Goodrem deliver Down Under ; Jon Stevens, Andrew Farriss and The Preatures Izzi Manfredi do Never Tear Us Apart ; Missy Higgins and Tim Minchin combine for the instant classic Carry You , while Kate Ceberano delivers an unforgettable version of Moments with Bliss n Eso. “Yeah, life’s been rearranging,” they sing. “Those times were golden… I lost that moment. But now I got it back, yeah.” This is a live album without any crowd noise, but it shows how music continues to bring us together even when our lives have changed. Michael Gudinski is an icon of our industry, and this is a crowning achievement. (Bloodlines) Jeff Jenkins

80 JULY 2020

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