May 2012
38 posts
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Album Review : Donavon Frankenreiter 'Start Livin'
Start Livin’ is the fifth studio album released by Donavon Frankenreiter and is a largely acoustic affair. Described by Frankenreiter himself as a simple collection of love songs, the well-worn theme is given a new lease of life by its inventive musical arrangements.
He is joined soley by Matt Grundy on this record rather than a full band. Together they embelish the bare bones of each...
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Artist Spotlight : Xavier Rudd
Xavier Rudd is a prolific and talented Australian musician who has achieved a lot in the decade since releasing his debut studio album To Let. During this time he has become a staple favourite of festival circuits around the world. Ahead of releasing his seventh album next month and an extensive European and Australian tour in support of it, he kindly took time out to answer a couple of...
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Album Review : John Mayer 'Born And Raised'
Born And Raised is a pleasing return to form for John Mayer after 2009’s uneven and rather disappointing Battle Studies. On this album he has opted to get in touch with his inner cowboy and harnesses a more southern rock and country sound.
Opening track “Queen Of California” may owe more than a passing nod to The Allman Brothers Band, but it sets out Mayer’s stall and...
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Album Review : Slash 'Apocalyptic Love'
Apocalyptic Love is Slash’s second outing as a solo artist and blazes along at a breakneck pace. It differs from his 2010 eponymous debut in so much as it features a single band throughout rather than a series of guest singers and musicians.
Alongside Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, he delivers his trademark riffs and solos with the assuredness of a guitarist on the top of his...
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Artist Spotlight : Flight Brigade
Flight Brigade are a folk-rock group hailing from Hampshire who are quickly gaining a reputation on the UK festival and music scene as a band who are going places despite their short time together. The band were good enough to take some time out today to chat about their experiences and what lies ahead for them this year…
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How is 2012 treating Flight Brigade so...
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Artist Spotlight : Mick Hart
Mick Hart is an Australian independent singer/songwriter who’s been touring since the late 1990’s and has built a global reputation as an accomplished live musician as well as releasing a string of studio albums. He was kind enough to sit down earlier today and answer a few questions about his career and what 2012 has in store for himself and his...
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Album Review : Tenacious D 'Rize Of The Fenix'
Whether or not you enjoy the latest outing from Tenacious D relies entirely on your appreciation of Jack Black and the fratboy humour which has sustained his career all these years. Comedy metal isn’t ever going to garner critical acclaim, but that isn’t the point.
This is music to be enjoyed for what it is : a tongue-in-cheek sending up of rock n’ roll cliches performed...
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Album Review : Willie Nelson 'Heroes'
Heroes is business as usual for the country legend and features a roster of guest musicians including his son Lukas Nelson, Merle Haggard, Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristoffersen and most bizarrely of all Snoop Dogg (stranger still Snoop sings rather than raps).
Opening track “A Horse Called Music” is the best of the original songs featured in the collection and has a very nostalgic feel...
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Album Review : Ash Grunwald 'Trouble's Door'
Ash Grunwald has been nothing if not prolific since releasing his debut solo album some ten years ago. Trouble’s Door is his sixth studio album and helps cement his position as one of Australia’s finest exponents of blues/roots music.
Although the music may not be a radical departure from his previous outings, what it does is further refine Grunwald’s signature sound. Fingers...
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Artist Spotlight : Glen Phillips
Although probably still best known as the frontman of 90’s alternative rock band Toad The Wet Sprocket, Glen Philips has continued to create music in a variety of projects over the years (Works Progress Administration, Mutual Admiration Society, Plover, Remote Tree Children) as well as releasing a number of his own solo records.
Ahead of some solo and Toad concerts scheduled for later...
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Album Review : Flight Brigade 'Shaw Court...
Having not long ago stumbled upon this band, I am late to the party in reviewing the self-released Shaw Court Sessions EP by Flight Brigade. It has been available as a free download from their website for over a year now and comprises of six compelling folk-rock songs.
What comes through strongest after a first listen is their knack for crafting a tune. The layered vocals and instrumentation...
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Album Review : Jason Mraz 'Love Is A Four Letter...
It’d be fair to say the success of pop single “I’m Yours” back in 2008 was a game changer for Jason Mraz, garnering him an international audience and mainstream success. Love Is A Four Letter Word comes some four years later, but ploughs a very similar furrow to his previous LP.
Lead single “I Won’t Give Up” is a pleasant enough ballad sung with...
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Album Review : Barenaked Ladies 'Stop Us If You've...
Stop Us If You’ve Heard This One Before is the latest offering from Barenaked Ladies and can be considered a companion piece to their greatest hits package Hits From Yesterday & The Day Before released late last year.
If the greatest hits was aimed at casual listeners who may have discovered them through US TV show The Big Bang Theory, then this album is aimed squarely at the more...
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Album Review : Sara Watkins 'Sun Midnight Sun'
Sun Midnight Sun is the sophomore effort of Sara Watkins, formerly of Nickel Creek. It is produced by Blake Mills and features guest appearances by Fiona Apple, Jackson Browne, Taylor Goldsmith, Benmont Tench, and Sara’s brother Sean Watkins.
Following on from her 2009 debut solo effort, this album more than anything else strikes me as simple and honest music. There is a brevity to the...
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