Rock - Hear
HEAR is the enema your iTunes needs. Bringing you the most thought-provoking and up-to-date music reviews this side of Lester Bangs, HEAR sifts through the ever growing mountain of press releases and promos to only feature albums, EPs, LPs and mixes that we want to, not that we have to. Also, we try and make things make sense in 200 words or less so that you can just listen to the music.
Surf City, 'Kudos'
Surf City aren't what you'd call a 'surf' band in the true sense of the word. Even among the current slew of surf/beach-inspired acts such as Wavves, Best Coast, Surfer Blood and The Sea World Pots and Pans Band, the Auckland four piece play with a style that has them swimming outside the flags.
Tully: Live at Town Hall 1969-70
Time has an astounding way of killing off musical performances and groups. Recordings are lost and buried; destined never to have a release. Albums and singles die a slow and agonising death; shelved into obscurity. Chapter Music have recently exhumed the corpse of Sydney psychedelic group Tully in the form of two live recordings the band made at Sydney Town Hall circa 1969 - 1970.
'American Slang', The Gaslight Anthem
I couldn't say that I'd ever been proud of a band's accomplishments. At least until I found out that The Gaslight Anthem had booked a hell-load of shows with the famous and inimitable E-Street Band and their "Boss".
All of that touring and the awesome Fallon/Springsteen on-stage duets have ballooned the confidence of this band, and they've fully emerged from their influence-heavy past with a more personal sound.
The Hold Steady, 'Heaven is Whenever'
Is it just me or does Craig Finn sneak the line "Almost killed me" into every album? I'm a sucker for stuff like that. I mean, we all know he loves words, and he has a firm grasp on connecting things. Every song they've written sounds like the continuous soundtrack to a never ending, ever-changing, awesome road trip.
The National, 'High Violet'
Why do we love sad music? (I'm not being critical - I'm honestly wondering!) Maybe there's something pretty and expansive about being sad. Plus, it's something we can all relate to; not everyone's been in love or dumped champagne on a stripper. But we've all been bummed out.
The Boxer was a divine treat for lovers of depressing music.
Otouto, 'Pip'
I'm not elevating Melbourne three-piece Otouto to Miles Davis' status; but Otouto understand something a lot of rock bands don't. Space.
Jamming unprecedented levels of stimuli into a three-minute pop song has merits (as in, double bass-drum head banging away full throttle aggressive testosterone rush release).
Acrassicauda, Only the Dead See the End of War
You've probably never heard these guys but there's a good chance Acrassicauda's story has ended up close to your ear. This heavy metalband isn't special because they're harder, or more raw, or have faster double bass hits - they do all of that great - they're special because of how they ended up in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
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