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Compilation CD
CD Reviews

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All Reviews by Chris unless noted

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Compilation CD

Laura Stevenson - A Record (Quote Unquote Records)

Laura Stevenson debut album or best of album as she describes it as in the interview on this site, is truly a work of art, talent just waiting to be discovered. It is a release that is beautifully written, beautiful sung and a band behind her "The Cans" that really deliver the goods and makes this a release a must have. It's indie rock/folk music and it's something that is really refreshing to listen to. I get hints of Cat Power, Basia Bulat throught out the music even a little bit of jazz as well. I love the use of trumpets and strings throught out the music when it's needed. Laura is a great singer and her songwriter is nothing short of excellent, the song Beets Untitled is shows this. I am also loving the use of Banjo in some of the songs, excellent touch to the music. Landside Song/The Dig is a punk rock/folk ditty and the one track that is different to the rest. This is something that deserves to be heard, discovered and cherish because it's really that good.

Ryder - Get Up,Come On, Move On, I Feel Alone (Self Released/Green Media/MGM Distribution)

Due to me being quite busy with things lately, I have finally gotten around to reviewing this album by Melbourne band Ryder and take from me folks, it's very very good. Firstly the packing and the artwork is really good. The music they is roots,blues and folk music mixed together and it's truly a winning combination. It's catchy,melodic, well sung, beautifuly written and that warms you over with it's charms. Jade Myconos is a fantastic singer and her voice just truly fits well with the music around her. Songs like Alibi show off the blues and roots influences in the band with a song that is a slice of blues heaven with good guitar playing and solid melodies and solid vocals. Should be released a single. It's got radio and chart potential. Songs like Little Games,Others,Wings show off the songwriting and the way of crafting beautiful melodies alongside gorgeous vocals and harmonies. Songs like Sunshine,Pocket,The Day, Before You Know It are the laid back ballad tracks off the album. The songs that just truly win you over with the way they are written and played. Savior is one of the tracks where Trent the bass player get a chance to shine in the vocal department and he got a great voice and the track is so well written to accommodate his voice. You May be Right has a bit of a country influence in the track and it works really well alongside Jade fine singing. This is fine debut album that will ensure the band a very bright future ahead of them. Fine Stuff.

Fourth Floor Collapse - Victoria (Creative Vibe)

Victoria is the latest album by Fourth Floor Collapse and it's another fine release by the band who has along line of them. I first started listening to them when their first album came out, so I have been a fan for ages, so much so they featured on my label first release and headlined my CD launch gig. So when I heard their was a new album out by the band I had to go get it. Firstly the songwriting and singing and the production values of this album are nothing short of excellent. Michael singing is on fire on this album, the songwriting has matured and refined and the songs on here are just really good and really have come of age and are a lot different from their earlier stuff. Songs like Xmas 88 show off the melodies and rhythms and vocals and the lyrical and songwriting skills of the band. It's a great way to start off the album. Best Disguise is a pure pop number that shows off the poppy side of the band and it's a brilliant track. Same Mistake is my song of the year, I just fell in love with it's melodies and solid searing vocals by Michael. It's just an amazing track that is nicely crafted and well played. Songs like Drive On Regardless are just solid tunes with good vocals, good song structure, good lyrics, good musicianship. Songs like All Is Forgiving,Whole Lot Comes Alive where they show of the use of different instruments and the knack of making of making a songs something so much more. Songs like Without Wires show off the ballads and the mystery and depth of the band. I felt this album was something different to their earlier stuff, I felt it being fresh and really exciting. One thing that Fourth Floor Collapse love to do and it's a thing they have done on the last two albums have an acoustic number to finish off the album and it's always a nice touch. This album have been solidly produced, it's sound like something a major label or an indie label with money would put out and the packing is really great two, nicely done. Seriously folks this is an album that must not pass you by. It's an amazing album, a real turning point for the band. I was taken aback It's work of art, a beautiful achievement and I hope that the industry and music lovers stand up and takes notice and I hope that it will lead them to a future overseas.

The Weekend People - Murder On The Mind (Self Released)

Murder On The Mind is the debut single for The Weekend People a Melbourne band and it is a really great track. It is a dark spacey pop rock song that takes you to a beautiful place. It's a well written well played, well sung track that is truly something. Mark Woodward has sung and crafted a fine tune that deserves to be heard. They are doing something a little different. When I saw them play last night, they were amazing and I immediately thought of the style of their music as Piano Punk. They have talent and I eagerly await the album. Top Stuff.

Koopa - Gimme It Back (Pied Piper Records)

Koopa is a English band who has a lot of buzz at the moment and it's all for the right reasons. They play Punk Music . Song Gimme It Back is an upbeat edgy punk rock tune that is gritty, rocking and fresh sounding. Solid vocals, solid productions values but we will get to that later on, good solid musicianship. I had never heard of this band before but well now I know that these guys are on to something. They are doing something really cool here and the buzz is well worth it. If you love punk music that isn't straight up old school punk rock and that isn't punk pop. You'll love this then. I can't wait to hear the album. The label has pulled out all the big bucks for this as Mark Hoppus is producing the album. You get the radio edit,album edit and yes a remix by Josh Abraham. I can see a bright future for this band. Music at it's best.

Morgan - Fall Away (Self Released)

Morgan is a singer songwriter from Perth, who came to my fair city of Melbourne on her self booked tour of Australia. I happened to be at a gig at The ESPY where Damn The Maps were playing and she happened to be there. So we started chatting as I added her myspace a few months back and she left a comment the day of the gig. So she passed me on her EP and I saw play again on the Friday at the classy new venue Spensers Live. Morgan plays pop music with a dash of folk in her tunes. The EP comes with 4 lively upbeat pop tracks that really show off Morgan voice and her songwriting skills. Plus 2 acoustic numbers. The lyrics are also good and give some depth and really add to the music. The songs have little hints of the late 90's aussie pop tunes from singer songwriters who were heavily on aussie radio back in that period. Morgan in her vocals reminds me a lot of Katie Michaelson, a Melbourne based singer songwriter. It is a well produced and well played EP with a good solid backing band to help get Morgan tunes to life. She is an artist who I reckon that is going to do very very well. She got talent, got a voice and songwriting skills to match. This EP is an indication of what you will be very much hearing in a bigger scale soon. She also gave me some of her newer stuff from this year and that already shows that.

Lydia Phillips Live At The Retreat 29/10/08

Lydia Phillips is my favorite singer songwriter on the Melbourne music scene. She also has done a gig I have organised where she headlined and I have given her some publicity on this website. I hadn't seen her in a while, been away, when she has gigs some times I can't go but tonight I did and as always she was amazing. She got a really lovely voice and she really shines on the piano and guitar. She has a great backing band and she played my favorite song of her Me And The Moon. She can really write a tune and knows how to magically craft it. The last song she played is one of her newer tunes and it's really ace. She got talent and I know sooner or later some one will discover what she got and give her the recognition she deserves. She tells me she got an album in the works next year. The EP is amazing and I know the album gonna be even better. So go check her out when she plays next as she really really good live and I've been saying that for ages.

Lenka Live At Toff In Town 27/10/08

Lenka is one of the hot new Australian artists who doing big things overseas with songs in TV shows and having a record deal with Sony BMG. So naturally they would release the album here in Australia, so she came back to promote and do a little tour. So I saw her play Monday nite. She plays quite simply lovely pop tunes that she writes and sings. She has a great backing band and the tunes are really fab. The songs are joyful and upbeat and will have you dancing in your seat. She will do well and she can sing amazingly. I can see her having a long and lasting career. You have decoder ring to thank for discovering what talent she has. She used to be a actor.

Washington Live @ Yah's Yah's 25/10/08

2 days ago I was doing gig related stuff on MySpace when I discovered on my travels an artist known as Washington. I notice she playing a gig at the new venue Yah's Yah's owned and run by the bar open/pony mob on Saturday. I go and check her out not knowing what to expect because I didn't listen to her stuff on the myspace page. Well I was in for a real shock as she simply blew me away. Yes I do give reviews which are kind to towards the bands and people involved. So when she first walks up on stage and just plays the synthesizer and her singing she completely made the whole room quiet and right now today I can still hear that tune in my head and that to me is a sign of a good song. Her captivating voice, her array of upbeat melodic tunes with her amazing backing band completely won me over. I go to a lot of gigs due to what I am trying to do with my life and all and this is one of the first times where I have been completely glued to the stage being focused on her and her music. After that first song she jumps onto the Keyboard where she rocks out on stage with her band members, I like the good use of trumpet in some of the songs. I also like the story she told which she wrote a song about which was fantastic. Their was a slight technical difficulty but that did not distract you from what the magical musical talent you were seeing on stage. I was completely stunned, I know sooner or later the majors will start chasing after her. Go check her out live as soon as you can because you are in for a real treat and you seriously won't be disappointed

Damn the Maps - Input Output (Vent Music)

OK Kids I want to tell you about this shit hot band I have heard of called Damn the Maps, they are from Melbourne Australia and they are seriously really good and so is their debut album Input Output. They play a style of Alternative Rock that is really refreshing. It’s a little rocking, a little funky, a little heavy and melodic and you got it. It sounds totally original and really exciting to the ears. The album starts off with We Thought We Seen It All, a great song that talk about well Information & Technology and why I have so many myspace friends and why I haven’t seen any of them, why are their cameras everywhere and yes about reading so many emails each day. The songs range from subjects such as the song Real Girls which is about to me how TV and Media talks about how girls should look which is fake and plastic and oh you better lose some weight too. The song The Way It Was is well probably a song which should have been out a few years earlier as it really speaks about materialist things and wanting it back the way it was when we didn’t care about that stuff. Maybe people should have listened to this song a lot earlier then maybe we would have the money crisis we have now. One Of Those Days another favourite of mine off the album, is one of the laid back tunes on the album that truly shows of the song writing skills and lyrical skills of Martin Green the front man and the songwriter of the band I truly honestly love this album; Martin Green the front man got a great voice, he a magical bass player and truly does some awesome stuff on the bass. The songs are honestly well written, a joy to the ears and they have something to say which is really refreshing. The band work really well together and it shows thought out the tunes. But for those that want a good simple description think COG Meets Radiohead and you got a pretty good idea. Damn The Maps are doing something that is worth checking out, it’s different to a lot of what a lot of other people are doing at the moment here in Aussie and I know if they persist like COG, Shihad did they will come out tops, one of the great albums of the year, A Must Listen and a must see band live too.

Amanda Rogers - Heartwood (DIT Records)

A few years ago in a period of my life where I was doing something else, one day I discovered by chance Amanda Rogers and was blown away by her music. I was lucky enough to interview her and was really lucky and was so stoked and happy when she agreed to be on my label first release which is a compilation. She since the interview and all has become my favourite singer songwriter. But putting aside my bias, I am here to review the new album by Amanda Rogers which is Heartwood and boy did I get excited when I first heard the first note. It is such a beautiful inspiring piece of work. It is an album which written and crafted by somebody who loves to play and write beautiful music. The album is an amazing step up from the EP in 2005. The album starts off with the beautiful and short but sweet I’m Awake, then onto to beautiful driving ballad Drive with its captivating melodies and vocals. Endless Sunday is a jazzy blues fuelled pop track with good solid vocals melodies and harmonies. Hibernating is a sweet pop jazzy track with good solid vocals that really standout here. It’s a cute breezy happy pop tune that stands out. This Beauty is a beautiful haunting track that makes good use of a string section. Her vocals really stand out here and the honesty of words truly shines here. Cabin Muse is a beautiful song, one of the stands out here. Beautifully perform and sung by Amanda, it’s an upbeat ballad of passion that really stands out. Trembling Hands is classic Amanda Rogers, reminds me a lot of her earlier work and it’s makes good use of strings and melodies and Amanda piano playing is on fire. Fate’s Northern Shore is one song on this album that well brought a little tear to my eye. I really connected to this song. It’s a beautiful song to me which is about life and sung so well and has such good lyrics. Amanda Piano playing is solid alongside all the other talented musos on the track. It just works on so many levels and it’s an inspiring piece of work. Operator reminds me of those’s 70 rock pop ballads like Carly Simons with rollicking energy, it’s feel good vibe, good solid vocals and lyrics that really suit the song well. Ella Faints is another lovely track with Amanda solid vocals alongside some good piano playing. Ghost Of You is a straight up ballad and it’s one of the songs that work well as a single. Amanda vocal’s are on fire here and matched alongside good use of strings. It’s a really lovely song. Lullabye finishes off the album well short but sweet, a beautiful way to finish off what is an incredible album, one of the most inspiring, haunting, beautiful pieces of work in a decade. This is my album of the year. Amanda Rogers is an incredible artist and is far superior and light years ahead of a lot of artists on Major Labels at the moment. If you want to come away feeling moved, touched and inspired you must get this album. I hope one day I will be lucky enough to see her play live. Excuse me I have to go play this album again.

Georgia Fields - Something Borrowed, Something Blue (Self Released)

Georgia Fields is probably the most popular female singer songwriter on the Melbourne Music scene right now and for good reason. She really really amazing and probably the sooner or later she will get snaped up by a label which will hopefully know what they have got. She is a must see live, This is her latest release Something Borrowed, Something Blue, which is basically the title song and a live recording of Little Vices. Something Borrowed, Something Blue is a pop jazz song which uses a wide variety of instruments including one of those frogg things that people have at their houses which makes a frog croking when you walk past it and it's a lovely upbeat jazzy feel good tune that really warms the heart. Little Vices is a lovely tune really something sweet. If you are late into discovering Georgia Fields she is really something special and doing something unique with her music and you can really feel the passion in the music. You can pick this up at her gigs I can't wait for more.

Hey Wella -H.R. (DC Hardcore)

Hey Wella is the latest solo album by H.R., the lead singer of the legendary hardcore band Bad Brains and with that in mind, you know your gonna get a good album and yes it doesn't dissapoint. The album manages to blend hardcore and reggae with a dash of hip hop to the boil. The one thing that is constant through out this album is that H.R. sings like spoken word through out the album. Hey Wella has laidback slow guitars with a real hip hop vibe in the music and the vocals. But I still get the hardcore music in the track that H.R. is known for. Did I Tell U I Love U.In The City, Reborn From The Dead. You Got A Girlfriend are examples of the solid straight up hardcore songs on the album and they are all fine tracks. All The Happy People has a real reggae influence in the song. It's a really laid back track with good solid vocals and good solid musicianship. It's a good track that matched with good vocals by H.R. Yo, Here We Go, It's On, Luv Comes First,We Belong Together are examples of the reggae dub hip hop style tracks on the album and they are all good. Just good solid cruzy chilled out tunes that are well written and well produced. It finishes off with a jazz remix of Hey Wella. Hey Wella is a fine album and good solid return to form for H.R. If you a fan of Bad Brains or not, this an album that worthy of your collection. Get It now.

The Aerial Maps - In The Blinding Sunlight (Popboomerang Records)

This is the debut album for The Aerial Maps and it's a unique interesting album where it tells stories, unique Australian Stories spoke by the front man for the band Adam Gibson. The music is pop aussie music with unique Australian tales that is different with every song. The songs are well crafted and written and the stories are fun to listen to. It's make me feel really aussie when I'm actually not. The first song On The Punt is about dad who likes to bet on horses. One Of Those Nights is one of my favorites off the album it's about fighting and about famous muso dying. Everyone's Eyes Are Always Much Smaller, As Good As... show the song structure in the bands music alongside with lyrics and use of instruments to accommodate what he has spoken. The Shark is another favorite mine as I really liked the use of piano and the way the story is told. The song is just Adam speaking and just the Piano and it's a corker of a track. The Building Of The Breakwall is another great track has good use of various instruments throughtout the track and it is a another nice song. There are eleven tracks in total and they are all something special. When I first heard this I was like wow this is something different, yes their have been things like this before but this isn't jokey comedy stuff. This is something unique, something Australian, something to be proud of and cherish. You are taken on a journey, a story that is something different on every track. Yes their will be comparisons to some of our other famous storytellers in this country but the stories he tells they are really good. I'm normally not into this stuff and all but I quite enjoyed the journey I took with The Aerial Maps. They are doing something different amongst the woddles of crap out their at the moment and I am sure that this will stand the test of time.

Skipping Girl Vinegar - Sift The Noise (Popboomerang Records)

If you haven't heard of Skipping Girl Vinegar by now then where have you been. They have been one of the biggest buzz bands around the Melbourne music scene, who has had majors and major indies from all over fighting for this band but they decided to stay with Popboomerang and this is their debut album Sift The Noise and the hype and buzz is well worth it. It's starts off with the hit and catchy One Chance that will have dancing and tapping and clapping away with it's beat and guitar playing, It's truly a slice of pop heaven. Sift The Noise is the title track and it's a beautiful breezy feel good slice of pop that truly shines and shows off the songwriting and musicianship of the band. It's a song that has good use of trumpets and strings. It's a solid song that is another good choise for a single. Fighting With Gravity, Wandered,Here Come The Lies are some of the ballad numbers that show off the truly talents of the band and Mark solid vocals and really shows off the solid productions of the band. River Road is one of my favorite tracks off the album, it's such a lovely track . It's just guitars and a organ in the background, good solid vocals and it reminds me of those camp fire songs we used sing around camp. It has that vibe to it. Cold Comes The Night firstly the song reminded me a lot of Fourth Floor Collapse and songs they write where it's just their accoustic guitar and also the way Mark vocals are on the track reminded me of a lot of Michael singing from Fourth Floor Collapse. Sinking is another catchy number, good use of banjo. it's just a non stop party. It shows off also how good the band are writing tunes that are so irresistible. Drove For Miles just another beautiful song by the band and is such a lovely tune with sweet vocals and beautiful melodies and harmonies and really shines. The Passing finishes off the album well and another good solid track. Take it from me this is seriously the first album in all my years of reviewing where every track is so good. It is one of the beautiful albums I have heard in ages. The album of the year for me. It's seriously one of the most exciting albums to come out of Australia in a long time. They have seriously set the bar for music in Australia. If you haven't seen them live yet, you don't know what your missing out on.

Mezz Coleman - My Little World (First Birth Records)

Mezz Coleman is one of the many talented singer songwriters on the Melbourne Music Scene, she has played gigs with two people who have also been reviewed on this site Lydia Phillips, Rosaline Yuen and this is her debut release My Little World and it's really good. Firstly she has spent the time to produce and craft tunes that are worthy of radio play. It starts off with My Little World is a nice breezy pop/jazz/soul tune with good solid vocals, melodies and harmonies and good honest songwriting that shows off the depth of her abilities as a songwriter. Did You Know is a straight up pop rock song that has a little blues and jazz influences in there. It reminds me a lot of late 90's/early 2000 that was coming out of Australia and it's a good song that really shows of her vocals and her talents. Beautiful Dreamer is a ballad track that is beautifuly written, honestly sung and it's a song really shows off her talents and how to craft a tune that is a joy to the ears. All I Wanna Do is a delightful ballad that just Mezz on the piano with a volin and it's really shines with her amazing voice and her amazing piano playing and her good use of strings. It is a beautifuly written tune that really shines. Peace really let's the jazz and soul influences really shine through out the track and it's good some solid guitar playing and good musicianship alround and really solid vocals that really do shine. The last song is a remix of Did You Know and it's a good remix. This is a solid debut release for Mezz Coleman. It's worth checking out and checking her out live which she does quite a bit. Top stuff.

Highroad No.28 - Stumbling To Divinity (DSM99 Records)

The first thing about this album is gone are the heavy guitars and more of melodic dense atmospheric ride of music. Secondly the production values of this album are very good. What you get from this album is something really good, music that takes you on Journey. The heavy guitars are still there but they are used to greater affect and are layered with the keyboards, synthesizers and techno beats. The songs are more ballad type numbers, gone are the days of alt rock/helmet style music and more about melodies and harmonies and density. Then songs like Bleed Torment, Despair, Agony, Danny Go On, is throwback to the older stuff which they had been playing but add a dash of the new stuff for good measure and makes it sound really good. Isotopic has got the guitars but it’s feels like a new wave rock song in the darker direction. It sounds really fresh and exciting. If They Died, Could I Survive? Is a great track with everything working well, good vocals, melodies and harmonies, good musicianship and just a good song that has everything going for it. And I Suffer shows off the power ballad stuff off the band if you can call it that and it’s a great track with good solid vocals and melodies and harmonies and it’s just a great song that shows off how far Andrew has come with the song writing and the diversity of his talents, This album is a very new direction for Highroad No.28. The vocals are much better; it’s a much better produced album and very a bold and exciting new direction for the band. I like where the band has gone and I for one can’t wait to hear where the band goes next. 2 thumbs up.

Freak Out EP – The Wellingtons (Popboomerang Records)

Freak Out is the latest release for The Wellingtons here in Australia, yes it been out a while but I figured it’s time to review this EP before they go on their overseas tour to Japan, Spain, England & The USA where their new album Heading North For The Winter is going to be released or already is released before us Aussies get it. So go check them out when they hit your neck of the woods. Now is the EP is tops. 5 catchy slices of power pop heaven with the rocking title track Freak Out, the very catchy I Get My Heart Broken Everyday to songs like the power pop ballads Gone & There’s A Girl. You even get for your money 4 videos you can watch on your computer. It’s seriously parting with your cash. It’s got 5 kick ass tunes and 4 videos you can watch. What’s not to like. The Wellingtons rock and so does the EP. So go check them out on tour if you live in those countries and hit up their myspace Here

Bryan Estepa – Sunday Best (Popboomerang Records)

Brian Estepa is a singer songwriter from Sydney and this is his latest album Sunday Best and it’s a cracker of an album. Brian is a huge fan of The Beach Boys and the influence shows through in his music and his tribute to Carl Wilson on this album that is titled Carl Wilson. I also got You Am I, Charles Jenkins/Ice Cream Hands influences which shined through out his music. It starts off with Aches And Shakes which is a real pop song that really shows off his influences. It’s a great song that is truly well written, a brilliantly crafted tune that really reminds me off late 90’s and early 20’s aussie pop tunes that were coming out and not the sugar coated mainstream crap that is feed to people. The song Carl Wilson is Brian ballad his tribute, his fan worship to Carl Wilson and it’s a great song written with such joy and harmony. You can’t but help get into the tune and his love for Carl Wilson. Songs like Stars, Worry Me None shows of the softer side of Bryan and his natural ability to write a lovely song that a joy to listen to and how weaves melodies and harmonies together so effortless. Myself is the rock song off the album where it’s a chance to show off the Brian is also has the knack of writing a rock song as well as the pop songs. Skipping Days is one of favourites off the album. It’s just a really great song with good solid vocals, melodies and harmonies. It’s a song that I could see on radio. It’s one of those rock pop anthem ballad numbers that reminds me so much of You Am I. The guitar playing on this song is excellent and Bryan vocals really shine here and naturally so do his song writing. Second Guess is another favourite with Bryan and his guitar and harpsichord and organ and is a nice solid song that shows off his vocals and his song writing talents. It finishes off with Sunday Best is a pop ballad that truly should be released as a single and released to radio as I could see this doing very well. It’s got solid vocals and good musicianship all round and it’s a finely crafted tune by Bryan. It’s such a lovely song to finish off the album well and yes it’s the one song that really has The Beach Boys influence shine in. Take it from me this one fine album and you know need it now. He a better singer songwriter than most and knows how to write a damn fine pop tune. We should be lucky to have some one as Bryan in our country. We need more singer songwriters like him. A first class pop album that shines.

Jenny Dalton -Rusalka's Umbrella (Glossy Shoebox Productions)

Jenny Dalton latest album is something amazing and I have been a fan of her music for ages and yes she is even on my compilation CD for my label first release. If I had my way I would immediately tell you to go by her album because it is really that good but since I am a reviewer I have to tell you the many reasons why you should. Jenny has made an album that is very moving and also at the same time a joy to listen to. It's starts off with the beautiful driving ballad of Better Known Vacancy with it's lush melodies and harmonies and haunting vocals and beautiful piano playing by Jenny, Songs like The Turn And The River shows off the fun poppy upbeat catchy side of Jenny's music with good solid vocals, terrfic piano playing and it's really a joy to listen to. Married To The Sea is another surreal tune that really drives home the talents that Jenny Dalton has with her vocals, her melodies and her amazing songwriting skills, it's a song that is layered with depth and drive, the song also has good use of strings. Rusalka's Umbrella the title track is pure classic Jenny Dalton with it's use of vocals and harmonies and driving depth of music and harmonies with good solid vocals and songwriting skills. It reminds me of a lot of the stuff off her first album. Jenny really shines here in the vocals,songwriting and piano playing department. Songs like So Say I,Ladies And Gentleman, Bad Seed are classic Jenny Dalton with the way they are sung and structured in songwriting the beautiful haunting melodies and vocals and harmonies to the moving piano playing throughtout the song. The Fall is my favorite track on the CD and it's such a beautifuly sweet song that is so well sung, Jenny voice truly shines here and her piano playing is quite frankly on fire. Dear Paul is a delightfuly sweet track that is beautifuly sung by Jenny and also beautiful piano playing that is really something and the lyrics are really good and really match the way song is structured and writing and good use of strings that really match the tune. Puddle Jump it is a brighty breezy upbeat tune that is solidly written,really funky, beautiful melodies and harmonies and shows off the talents of Jenny and that she diverse in her songwriting. Snow Mazes Of Norway, Merry Go Around shows off once again why she is good as a songwriter. It finishes off with Looted Fires a beautiful haunting track of good solid vocals and melodies and a truly wonderful song to listen and truly finishes off the album well. If I had my way Jenny Dalton would be on radio everywhere and be on the charts instead of the bunch of supposed singer songwriters that seem to be invading the charts in america (yes that includes Delta) as she is an amazing singer songwriter and she really is a national treasure well she should be and americans should be lucky to have her and her album Rusalka's Umbrella is truly a must have album and you will be taken some where special and please Jenny come play Australia.

Lesha - Live at Northcote Social Club 18/7/08
This was Lesha first gig right here in Melbourne, she was on the bill with Tim Mcmillian at the Northcote Social Club and she really good live. She sings and plays love song. She got a good solid voice and is really magic on the guitar, she sings with such honesty and plays the guitar so well, She has a way of performing and drawing you in with her voice and her guitar playing. I like her honesty when it comes to her lyrics and her singing, her voice is something special and her guitar playing is something else, She got a lot of talent and talent like this deserves to be heard expect to see more of her live in the Melbourne scene. She was handpicked to play this gig my Tim manager so that says something.

Parx-e - A Compilation Of Independent Music (Clear Springs Entertainment) Reviewed by Hayden Cronick

"Parx-e A Comilation of Independent Music" is the first release for Clear Springs Entertainment, a Melbourne based record company run by Chris Parke. Anybody who knows Chris Parke will know that his taste in music is varied and very much an eclectic affair, and this taste is dished out to the cosumer in 3-4 minute servings throughout the 20 tracks on this compilation. Upon first listen, one could be mistaken for thinking they were infact tuned into an easy lisening radio station minus announcer\DJ. American group The Long Winter open the album with their middle of the road, almost mid 90's flavoured pop-rock (think semisonic/matchbox 20) in the form of the track Pushover. Songtress Amanda Rogers & The Brightwings continue along at similar pace, as do the first Australian group to feature on the C.D, Fourth Floor Collapse, although one could argue that the latter are the highlight of the listen so far. Australian Katie Brianna is next up and combined with her fellow countrymen, The Strain who feature nearer the end, a much welcome, modern-country rock vibe is a welcome addition to this Compilation. The feel of easy-rock radio is abruptly thrown out the window when Kiwi Metal Giants Agent appear much to the unsuspecting listeners suprise. Their track "Crave" is perhaps the most obvious nod on this release to Chris Parkes' fondness for music of many different genres, and despite the fact that it sticks out like a sore thumb in the middle of this album, it is very much a welcome addition and one of the stand-out tracks featured here. Artists Drugeater & Joe Rohan offer up the other stand-outs and the closer, Flow by Jessca Mcpherson makes the listener feel as though they have come full circle, a nice touch. Yes, "Parx-e A Comilation of Independent Music" may read all over the map at times, much like an early 1980's Neil Young effort, but that seems to work in it's favour. Bar one or two tracks, this C.D would be ideal for a cafe, coffee/bookshop environment & is definately a good starting point for people wanting to discover some of the artists featured. I can also see it being used by many as the soundtrack to an evening of dinner/drinks over the coming summer months. Let's face it, it is almost mission impossible to find a perfect score, 10/10 CD these days. Despite this, there are plenty of quite-very good albums out there to be discovered & "Parx-e A Comilation of Independent Music" is one such album. Hopefully the second volume is not too far way. 7/10 Hayden Cronick

Bag Of Toys - Afternooner (Bag Of Toys Records)

Bag Of Toys is a California band which plays acoustic surf reggae style music basically think jack Johnson crossed with sublime and your pretty much on the mark but much more laid back and this is their latest album and it's a good and I can see why they are so popular as they have perfected and produced an album that is worthy of your time and sounds fantastic for an independent release. There are 13 tracks in total that really do show of the talent of the band. Songs like Something, Smile So Wide, Everything Says, Feel It, Here She Comes Again are my highlights off the album. The album is well produced and well written and well sung and well written lyrics. It's just a really good enjoyable fun album that perfect to crank up anytime. I can see these guys doing very well for them.

Sound And Silence - Our Static Lives (Self Released)

Sound And Silence is Canadian artist Brian Holt, who I interview and reviewed earlier when he was in the band The Bends. This is his debut album which features various members of his former band, and it's a stellar release. It's exciting and really refreshing as well. I have been listening to it for days and words can not describe why I like this so much. From the Irish folk influenced track 'If I Were a Pirate' with multiple vocalists to Heather's amazing voice in fine form alongside Brian's vocals to a cracker opening track 'The Wind Whispers Slow' with it's Indian and rock'n'roll grooves. Songs like 'The Star' feels like an indie rock track with rock'n'roll in the pot. It's a solidly constructed track and one of my favourites on the album. The album itself has folk, rock'n'roll, indie rock all mixed throughout it. There is a real folk influence throughout a number of the tracks. I even got a hint of Beck in one of the tracks. There is also the influence of his old band The Bends through out some of the tracks. His song structure is good, a mixture of upbeat songs and slow songs but they are all have something to say and are constructed really well and performed magically. He has a way of telling stories in his music. He makes his songs very enjoyable but at the same time writes songs that really rise above a lot of the other male solo artists around. His music isn't the standard way of playing music in the crop of male solo artists; it's something far more superior. I have been telling some of my friends to check his music out and they were all impressed. Sound And Silence is one of the most exciting artists to be heard in a long time and this album should do very well for him. He's got talent and lot's of it and deserves to be heard, so go on check out his stuff. Check out http://www.soundandsilence.ca for more info and http://www.myspace.com/skyystudios to hear the fine tunes.

The Bathtub Sophist – Music From An L Shaped Room (Self Released)

The Bathtub Sophist is an interesting artist from Hamilton New Zealand as this release is Varity of different styles of music all mixed together and it really works well, there is a little metal, a little funk, a little dub, a little punk and some rock all mixed with samples of people speaking and various other noises and all sorts in the pot. It’s a really good musical kaleidoscope of music that is something really unique that shows of the talents of The Bathtub Sophist. Check it out and be taken to word of something pretty special. You can here the tunes here on myspace

Rosaline Yuen - Garden (Thirty Sixty Bird/Green Media)

Garden is the debut release for Rosaline Yuen and it's a good start for a bright future for Rosaline Yuen, it features 6 delightful pop ballad and jazz tunes that are really magic to the ears, she has a fantastic voice and has song writing the skills to back it up, Her music is very similar to another local Melbourne artist who I have reviewed on this site and organised a gig with Lydia Phillips with the way she writes and plays her ballad tunes, the songs are well structured and thought-out and it's a well produced well played release. Where Do We Go From Here shows off the jazz influence in her music where songs like Stay With Me A While shows off her knack at writing and singing such beautiful pop ballad tunes. This is a fantastic release for Rosaline Yuen and another artist in a long line of good local Melbourne based artists, we are pretty spoilt and you should go and support them.

The Wellingtons - Keeping Up With The Wellingtons (Self Released)

This is the debut release for The Wellingtons and I as a good reviewer will disclose my bias with the fact is that I put out a compilation for debut release for my record label featuring them and they played the CD launch gig and the best way to get this album is through the band as they were distributed for this release by Reverberation who since now were bought out and them and a lot of labels got dropped and lost a lot of money but a lot has happened for the band since this release, they have put out one album another to be release this year and a lot of big things for the band this year. Now is this a good album, it's got the trademark sound The Wellingtons are famous for, good old fashion power pop tunes that are so much fun to listen, good solid constructed songs, good musicianship, good vocals, well produced and seriously it's just a good release, I really don't need to say much more as this band has got a lot of talent, they are doing some good things at the moment and they have a very bright future, A good debut for a band who are doing very good things at the moment.

Danna & The Changes - Constant Cacophony (Popboomerang Records)

This is the debut album for Danna & The Changes which was formed by Danna formally of the Melbourne band The Suits. The band has 7 people in the band and 2 female back up singers. It is a really good album that has a dash of pop, a dash of country, a little folk all rolled into the one album. It starts off with Baby Love which is a good power pop song which is a really catchy pop tune that good use of backing vocals and it starts the album off well, Song's like Janie, I'll Come Round show off the country influences in the band and also the feel good nature of the music as it's really upbeat. Good Times, He Was Irrelevant, Long Time Alone are the ballad numbers on the album and they are both really good, Long Time Alone shows of the vocals skills of both Danna & Rachel it's just them singing and playing the piano. He And She, Are You Gonna Take Me Home? Are good pop tunes that are just catchy with good lyrics, melodies and harmonies and just shows the band can craft a good pop tune. Good Duet, Shake It Up, Rise And Shine are just good old pop rock'n'roll tunes. It is finishes off with one of my favorite tunes on the album Station which is just a really good tune, well sung, well played and well written. I really dig the song. This is a good album which offers something unique to the table where it’s not just really one style of music, there are a lot of different styles mixed into the pot. I can see this doing well for the band just because it's a good fun enjoyable album that also offers some solidly written songs like Long Time Alone & Station for examples. Check it out when its get released it's very much worth a purchase, Top Stuff.

Adrian Whitehead - One Small Stepping Man (Popboomerang Records)

This is the debut album for Adrian Whitehead and what can I say but it's a cracker of a debut album, good catchy pop tunes The album has a real 60's British pop feel to and the songs are well crafted, well written and well produced, it's a nice album that has a mixture of laid back pop tunes to upbeat tunes that are all well sung and well played. Songs like Caitlin's 60's Pop Song really show off the British influence to the album vocals wise and melodies wise that is crafted into something magnificent. Saving Caroline, You Are The Sun, Julia,Spector's Dead show off the talent that Adrian has with vocals and songwriting skills and also the musicianship of him and his band. Ella is a song that make good use of strings alongside a piano and Adrian singing, if their was going to be an epic song on the album, this one is it. I could see be in a movie or most importantly being played on radio and becoming quite a popular tune. Better Man is another tune that I think is very radio friendly as it's got some great catchy hooks, the lyrics are good and Adrian vocals are solid here. It is a winner of a track but one of my favorites of the album and to me is one of the highlights of the album is the last track Nothing's Changed, it's just Adrian singing, acoustic guitar and a catchy drum beat and no Piano like the rest of the album, It's a well crafted song that highlights Adrian talent as a singer and a songwriter. I really enjoyed this album, I had heard songs before but the album is a piece of pop magic, a really good slice of pop music that isn't manufactured but really fresh and exciting. Check out this album it's a winner and check him out live he got to be seen.

Katie Locke - Works For Me (Self Released)

Katie Locke is an artist who I had interviewed a couple of years ago and really dug her tunes and now we are reviewing the release of hers Works For Me, It's Gritty Jazz Guitar Pop music that exciting fresh a joy to listen to. It's a mixture of catchy upbeat tunes like Perfect Hue and Alabaster Stone which show off Katie vibrant powerful voice, her excellent songwriting skills and the musicianship off the band then their are the ballads which show of her amazing voice and her songwriting skills but also that she is capable of doing both upbeat and also slow ballad numbers which shows of the diversity of her talents. Their are 6 songs in total on the CD and each and every one of them are all really good songs that shows of her amazing voice and the amazing talent that she has. The product values are solid and make what already is a good a joyful listening experience, The musicianship throughout is solid and tight and the band work well with Katie, I for one can't wait to hear what she puts out next and this release was worth the wait in listening to as it's so good. Top Stuff.

Linden - The Future Is... (Self Released)

Linden is one of the most exciting female fronted pop rock bands I have heard in a long time and I know soon or later they are gonna be snapped up by a record label. The Future Is.. is a fantastic introduction to band with 5 great pop rock tunes that are full of life and energy and are songs that are well thought out, well written, well played and well sung as well as being well produced. I could easily see any of these songs being played on Radio. Songs like Attached and Stranded show off the energy and solid song structure of the bands music. In And Out shows off the band talent for writing ballads. Overall this is a fine debut release for a band who got a bright future ahead of them.

Jimmie's Chicken Shack - Fail On Cue (Fowl Records)

Jimmie's Chicken Shack is a band who I have known about for years but never heard their music and their new album Fail On Cue is my introduction to them and I actually really really enjoyed this album. It is the perfect blend of funk metal,ska and straight up modern rock. It starts off with the catchy track 17 that pure funk rock metal and it's seriously straight up rocking with good vocals,melodies, good musicianship and well written. Caught Up shows the SKA influence in the bands music which is a really catchy upbeat funky track with good melodies and vocals and well written and good musicianship and the same goes for Mutha Luvas. Songs like The Quiet Ones, Another Great Idea shows off the talents of the band and Jimi Haha songwriting skills and also his vocals, The cover of Fugazi Waiting Room is really good and a nice addition to the album. I was really surprised how much I enjoyed this album, It is just a good solid album that has plenty of great tracks on it to be discovered and enjoyed and it's also an album that deserves to be repeated over and over again. You will seriously enjoy this album and this from some one who didn't know what to expected but came out a new fan.

Danna & The Changes - Baby Love (PopBoomerang Records)

Danna & The Changes are a fresh new band from Melbourne started by Danna from The Suits fame and if this single is any indication the album gonna be a sure fire winner, The first song being the single Baby Love is the perfect piece of catchy pop music with a slight hint of country in the mix mixed with a dash of rock'n'roll with catchy lyrics and good use of backing vocals and good lead vocals, it's such a catchy song it's that I was humming it all day, Janie is a catchy country styled song with a pop edge with good musicianship, good solid vocals, good use of backing vocals and seriously it's a rollicking good time, toe tapping away and shows off the talents of all the band members involved and the last song is Station is the ballad that truly shows off the songwriting and the talents of the band and it's a really great song with good solid vocals, good musicianship, good melodies and rhythms. Dana & The Changes are seriously of the most exciting bands to come out of Melbourne at the moment and this release gives a good indication that album seriously gonna be so good. I can't wait to hear the album. Top stuff by a local band and mr popboomerang has a winner on his hands.

Brilliant Fanzine - Then Comes Monday (PopBoomerang Records)

I first heard this band on a compilation of bands featured on Popboomerang records and I really dug the tune and seeing them live impressed me more and the album what can I say it's the perfect pop album and one of the best real pop albums I have heard in ages, every song is well crafted and well thought out. The songs are catchy but also thoughtful and enjoyable. Songs like Change For You and Would We Go Back & Then Comes Monday show off the talents of the band with the song structure, melodies and rhythms and harmonies and vocals. Smile, When It's Through, It's Gone are ballad pop tracks off the album and they highlight the songwriting skills,vocals and how each of the band members work together. I really got into this album, with melodies,harmonies and vocals and songs that are truly well written and beautiful performed and well sung, it is truly refreshing to hear an album that is just a joy to listen to start to end. If the major labels took notice of bands like Brilliant Fanzine, maybe they would be in a better position and not have the situation of the latest grand theft auto game coming out and all. Highly recommend and can't wait to hear what they put out next.

Bootleg – Begged,Borrowed & Stole (Self Released)

Bootleg debut album is one funky catchy release, It's SKA,Reggie and Dub all rolled into one and it's a very good release, it is an album that just reminds me off summer and the parties listening to Sublime, it's a catchy album full of good time vibes, props to where they come from, working to survive, and in general having fun. It is a well produced,well sung, well thought out album, Songs like Holmes Beach show the good time nature of the band which the catchy lyrics,melodies and harmonies and just grooving in your seat, well I was when listen to this album, Angel Child with it's funky beat, good solid lyrics,good melodies and harmonies and rhythms, All I Need is a good song about working to survive with good use of beats,melodies,rhythms and harmonies. Officer Move is another good song which features Jenny Flory singing on the track who gonna be a music star in her own right soon and some one who has been featured on this site with it's good solid vocals,harmonies, rhythms and melodies. I really enjoyed this album, it was just a joy to listen to start to end, it was something different to what I normally get sent. Bootleg got a future here with their brand of catchy music, good time vibes and good solid vocals and good musicianship and this album is a winner. A fun enjoyable album that truly shines with good times gold.

Jesse Mitchell - The Twilight (Self Released)

Jesse Mitchell debut release The Twilight is a blend of laid back reggae folk pop music would be the best way to describe it. He got a great sound and he is very much influenced by an independent artist who is very popular and is still independent. The songs are very catchy, with good solid vocals,melodies and harmonies. Wake Up World is very much a upbeat funky track with good vocals,melodies and harmonies. Newborn Man is the ballad song on CD, it's got good solid vocals,harmonies and melodies. Get Back In Line is like the anthem song on the CD, it's upbeat, got solid vocals and good solid lyrics with good melodies and harmonies that really shine. The production values are fine, Jesse has got a great sound, he gonna go far with and this is a good introduction to the mans music. It's worth checking out.

Eva Popov - Me, The Sea & Star (Self Released)

Eva Popov is a local artist who just released debut album, and it's like a story a journey full of tales and adventures. It's an album that slowly but magically bring you into her world and most importantly her music and yes her music amazing. The production values are good, she such a good songwriter and her voice works fantastically with the music and their is a good use of violins through out the album. It is an album that has been beautifully crafted and it's an album that has something to say with stories and messages and letters that throughout the album you discover and will enjoy her journey, Once you hear the first song Smallest Things you know that this is something different and something that is truly original and fresh, Highlights are Invisible Traffic, Sea To The Traffic, Carry The Love, Animal Animal but really all songs are good. This album is something fresh and original and you will be taken on a magical journey of beautiful music which Eva Popov debut album Me,The Sea & Star seriously is and seriously is a must have album and one that will make her stand out and be noticed.

The Bends - Self Titled (Self Released)

Who said rock 'n' roll is dead, well it's certainly not in Canada, yes I have discovered one of the most exciting bands to come out of Canada and music in general in a long time and they are called The Bends, They have released their self titled debut album DIY and it's seriously amazing, It's 70's punk, rock 'n' roll and soul mixed altogether and it just rocks. There are two vocalist in the band one being Brian the front man and Heather on the keys who really shines on the catchy song (Love Is) Not Only Blind where both Brian and Heather thing a verse which is a slice of good rock 'n' roll with soul. It also shows off the good use of Keyboards which are fantastically used through out the album, Everybody has a Price has a jazz,soul vibe to the track with the way the guitar is being played,to the use of keyboard. and the use of dual vocals, it's a well written,well played track, He Got Too Much Soul is a nicely played track that is really groovy, with great use of keyboards and good vocals, and great guitar playing, it's seriously addicitive, The Pin-Striped Suits is the most catchy tune on the album with great lyrics, vocals, well written and well played, it's got a jazz rock'n'roll vibe to the track that is seriously groovy, the album itself has a good mixture of catchy funky upbeat rock 'n' roll tunes and you can tell the band is having fun as it's a really fun enjoyable album that really doesn't disappoint. The production values are low budget but it doesn't matter because the songs are so good that you will be too busy grooving on down to care. This is a must have album by a band who are gonna go so far and one of my highlights for the year so far.

Tess Henderson - Handmade By Thread (Broadcaster Records/Creative Vibes)

Tess Henderson debut album Handmade By Thread is one of few CD's I have listened to where I love every song on the CD. It's such a magical beautiful album, full of mysterious,melodies and good solid vocals and harmonies to be discovered. Tess Henderson is a local independent Melbourne based artist and her album Hand By Thread is a solid debut release, It's got so many good songs on their, such like the Haunting melodies of Triumph to the beautiful sweet well written Silver Rush, to the catchy beautiful Dust with it's beautiful melodies, good solid vocals and musicianship that is seriously second to none and leads the album off with Kiddo just a dark upbeat poppy tune that really reels you in with it's good solid vocals, catchy melodies and harmonies, I really dig this song and it's a great song to start off the album , By This Kiss shows off how well Tess can write a song with good melodies and vocals and good use of strings, a She has been described as another bigger Australian female singer songwriter but I think Tess Henderson is oh so much better. Why I hadn't heard of Tess Henderson earlier is just a bad oversight but now I am seriously hooked. You will be doing yourself a favor by checking out Handmade By Thread and see what your missing out.

Claire Clarke - Unhinged (Bluestone Records/Amphead Music)
Claire Clarke
Claire Clarke is one talented young singer songwriter who has made an album that rivals and is even better than her major label count-parts have done. The songs are pop rock tunes, a mixture of upbeat groovy rocking tunes that kick serious ass and some good old fashion ballads. Highlights included Rush, Down The Line, All I Need is a rock ballad that uses strings alongside good solid vocals, good musicianship and is truly a well written song that I could easily be heard on radio, Survive You really shows off her vocals and knack of writing a good solid ballad tune that really lifts her voice and it let's shine along side her fantastic songwriting and works fantastic alongside strings, Unqualified For Love is a pop tune with a dash of rock to the fold, it's catchy and funky all at the same time with good vocals and good solid lyrics, you will be taping and grooving away to the tune, but seriously all the songs are so good, 70 Percent of the album is written by Claire herself meaning only 3 tracks she wrote with other people. She is only 18 years old and is truly independent and the success she has got so far is a testament to her hard work and dedication and professionalism and having a team of people who care about her and her album truly shows what talent she has and by being herself and writing the tunes she has put out a first class album . A fantastic first class debut album by a singer songwriter who only going up. Seriously this is so good, you need this now.

Kate Akhurst - Like Little Red Riding Hood (Self Released)
Kate Akhurst
Kate Akhurst debut album Like Little Red Riding Hood is the perfect blend of Pop, Jazz and R&B. I first discovered Kate over 2 years ago and she moved to America and now she has released her debut album which is a fantastic release, it's unique, funky,poppy and has really does has some great ballad numbers and should be treasured as Kate Akhurst is gonna be a star and will sadly like most Aussie talent will be recognized once she becomes big in America. It starts off with Cause & Affect which is a upbeat catchy little number. It's got great vocals, good melodies, it's a really poppy jazzy tune that really shows of Kate vocals and songwriting skills. For some reason it reminds me of a nursery rhyme from the use of the strings and use of piano through out the track. Damn is a slow but poppy number that shows Kate fantastic voice and is layered with strings and pianos. You're Welcome is a r&b pop number that highlights a bit of edginess to the music War In Your Welcoming is one of my highlights off the album, It has a bit of Bjork feel to it, it's a power ballad well it is to me with beautiful melodies and vocals. It's really shows of what Kate can do songwriting, lyrics and vocals wise. It's one of the highlights 4 me off the album. Crazy On That Stuff highlights the pop sensibilities off the album, It's a catchy upbeat rocking tune with a dash of r&b with good melodies and harmonies, good solid vocals and it's a song so ready for radio play. It's catchy, it's in your face and it's a seriously funky tune. Plus shows off Kate vocals and songwriting skills. Six Cold Feet is ballad that is layered with atmosphere, strings and sweet vocals like a dream. It's a sweet song that pulls you in with it's layers of music, good solid vocals and honest lyrics and it's solid honest songwriting. It's such a magical song. End Of The Day is a Pop,R&b,Jazz infused song that bright bold and sassy and a little funky that has good lyrics and melodies and good solid vocals. I could easily see this being played on radio. The Fire is a really jazzy pop tune with the upbeat trumpets, it's a little funky but the vocals truly work well with the song here. Hello Ground finishes off the album well with a fantastic power ballad that such a beautiful song that really truly shines. It's got fantastic vocals by Kate that really truly shine here, plus her songwriting here is second to none, it's fantastic. Good lyrics and great use of strings throughout the song. The piano playing is truly fantastic on here too. This song really got to me, it some how connected to me, I love songs like this when songs like this are truly written and constructed well. This song truly shows off what Kate is capable of doing which is fantastic. This seriously one of the best albums I have heard this year and Australia should be proud to have her as an artist. It's got good solid songs, great vocals and well written by Kate who is an artist who will only be going higher and higher. One of my picks for album of the year, Yes already and my new favorite artist. Go get as it's seriously worth a listen.

Shannon Curtis - Boomerangs & Seesaws (Saint Cloud Records)

Boomerangs & Seesaws is quite simply a wonderful release by Shannon Curtis. I fell in love with her music when she was in Paradigm but as a solo artist she is simply amazing. Firstly she has a beautiful souring voice, a fantastic piano player and has written some wonderful sweet tunes. From the title track Boomerangs & Seesaws which is a beautiful piece of music, a powerful voice, fantastic piano playing and good use of a drum machine in the background. Wasted has a real Jazz influence to me throughout the songs. Can't Remember You just plain and simple a sold song that has a beautiful souring voice, good melodies,harmonies and good piano playing. The release finishes off with one of the most sweetest songs I have heard in years Waking Up With You and actually really moved me and I got teary eyed after hearing it and I have been playing it over and over again. It's just a simple beautiful sweet song about being with some one you truly love. It's beautifully written, good sweet sounding vocals, fantastic piano playing and it's so well written. This is fantastic release that just shows that the majors are not putting out as much good music any more and that you don't need a major label put out such a release as this. Shannon Curtis is gonna go very very far. I can't wait to see what she puts out next and sadly I won't be able to see her live when I am over in April.

Jenny Dalton - Carbon Lily Remixes (Glossy Shoebox Productions)

To be honest I am not normally a fan of remixes, there are a few that I really really like. But this remix CD of Jenny Dalton songs totally rocks. They feature remixes done by people from all over the globe. They are well produced, well thought out remixes and most of all they are fantastic to groove along to. My two favorites are the Cadence and the Bad Day Remix. The video clip for the Cadence remix is fantastic too. Being a person who isn't normally a huge fan of remixes I totally dug this CD being already a fan of her music just because they really worked well with her original music and put a great spin on the tunes, You need this CD and I can already see the clubs playing this music. I am already so excited for the next release by miss dalton.

Ben Birchall & The Corrections - Last Ditch Brigade (Cavalier/Shock Records)

Ben Birchall & The Corrections album Last Ditch Brigade is a seriously good album, good guitar pop music. Ben has written some fantastic tunes here with a mixture of slow and upbeat rocking tunes. You have songs like My Dear which shows off Ben's songwriting skills and vocals mixed with fantastic musicianships and good harmonies and vocals. Songs like Optimistic are just good pop songs. Good solid musicianships and vocals and melodies and harmonies. Next Year's Model and Wasting Every Moment are other goods that highlight the talent that has Ben has for writing good solid tunes. So Along is another highlight of just a plain good pop song with good melodies and harmonies and vocals and good musicianships. I really hope this does well for Ben as he is a really nice guy and he fantastic live. He is still young and he got plenty of music to make ahead of him and I am sure some one will see how talented he is and that they want to work with him and give him the exposure he truly truly deserves. It's a must have album by a much talented artist and his band.

Lime Spiders - Live At The Esplanade (Figtree Words & Music/Inertia)

Lime Spiders are back and who also are one of the most respected and which a lot of bands of today have sited as an influence and also who are kept constantly asked to play here with overseas bands and also overseas with various bands. They have just released Live At Esplanade and I tell you now, it's a cracker of a CD. The live recording sounds great and it features a lot of goods songs that you should know like Slave Girl, Action Women, Weirdo Libido,Just One Solution and Volatile for examples. Mick Blood still sings fantastic and the band worked well together as it's sounds tight. I being a fan and a late comer fan of the band in the last few years. I truly loved this CD and it's a great start if you are new to the band alongside Nine Miles High best of CD and if your a fan you would of already got this and if you missed any of their gigs this year after listening to this you will be extremely annoyed that you did like I was. This is a must have release and I hope we get some new stuff from these guys soon.

The New Electric - Flesh & Metal (Self Released)

The New Electric are modern new wave with a rock edge band and their release Flesh & Metal is a fantastic release and one of the coolest releases of the year. They are a band very much influenced from the 80's and it truly shows. Yes New Wave came from the 80's but these guys do something unique with it. The musicianship and production through out this EP is first class. The songs are catchy and funky and they really do get you grooving in no time. It starts off with What The Vibe that is a very very funky track. Good solid vocals, good lyrics, good musicianship and well written. Flesh And Metal is a good solid funky rock tune, with good solid melodies,vocals and musicianship. It's a song that takes you back to that area. Lady is a solid track is a really catchy really well sung well written track. I love the start of the track with the keyboards. It is really well written and has really good musicianship. This song will get you up and dancing in no time. Blue Envy is sorta ballad track, it's a really good track. I really love song alongside Lady. It's well written, good melodies and harmonies, it is a really good arranged track that you will no doubt in no time sing along too. Bustin Over is another really really funky top shelf song that you will no doubt be sing and dancing away too. It's a really good tune with good solid melodies and harmonies. Well written and a joy to the ears. Yes there is a good guitar riff in this song and good use of the saxophone. Bright Slippers is truly the ballad on the CD. It is the song that is well sung with lyrics that are catchy and harmonies that truly work with the song. Good musicianship and melodies. Overall this is a top effort by this local Melbourne band. What bugs me is that the music they are doing is unique now and is really damm catchy and really great to dance and funk about to, so why aren't these guys on the radio. This I think Fox FM could play and their audience would really enjoy it but sad thing is like most Aussie artists who are trying to crack Australia, once they get big overseas, people will give a damm. Why not give a damm about now. You need this CD.

Lydia Phillips - EP Launch East Brunswick Club 18th Of October

With one of my favorite singer songwriters this week Kate Earl announced on her myspace blog she had an enough and wants to leave LA and her label which is a subdivision of a major label, I am like what drove her to this. The politics of the music business I think it was and to me it sorta destroys your faith in music today when artists you truly like and think are better than most are being destroyed and well shit music still sticks around but then you come across an artist which truly truly restores your faith in music and being a local artist is even better. I found that person and her name is Lydia Phillips, I saw her tonight at the East Brunswick Club and wow is the word. She is magic on stage, she sings so well and plays such wonderful wonderful tunes. She plays a mixture of poppy upbeat funky tunes with energy and magic, and there is the slow but beautiful haunting melodies with Lydia sweet but powerful voice which truly brings you in. She plays all the songs of the EP which are all truly fantastic, and a bunch of new stuff which truly truly rocks. All the stuff she played was quite simply magic, Her backing band are amazing, they all work well together, Lydia is amazing life and she seriously one of nicest sweetest artists I have meet, She gonna be on my next gig and I would like to put something out by her as she has a bright bright future ahead of her and I wanna help any way I can. Lydia Phillips is a must see artist live and has restored my faith music. She is a truly gifted singer songwriter with a lot of talent and believe a lot of talent is an understatement, she is just simply amazing, She is also gonna be my artist of the year for the site as I truly think her is music is something quite special and truly magic to the ears.

Lydia Phillips - Hibiscus January (Self Released)

Words can not describe what I think of this EP by the talented talented Lydia Phillips, when I first saw the poster I went home and got in contact, and seriously Lydia Phillips is something really special and Hibiscus January is just that. A really beautiful pallet of music that has so many different layers with a beautiful voice that truly brings you in. Me and the moon starts it all with beautiful sweet song that shows of Lydia stunning sweet voice mixed with beautiful melodies and harmonies that let Lydia song writing skills and vocals shine. It is one of my favorites on the CD, Please is upbeat track with good melodies and harmonies and vocals and it's a really catchy song that draws you with it's solid musicianship, good vocals. Hibiscus January is a sweet track with good solid melodies,harmonies and beautiful vocals. Good piano playing and all over good musicianship. It's a truly truly great song. Time Somewhere is another solid track that has good solid melodies,good solid vocals, all over well written tune and Lydia beautiful sweet vocals. Be My Past is another song that is upbeat, full of good solid beautiful melodies that truly highlight Lydia amazing voice. You See Further is another favorite of mine, beautiful sweet melodies mixed with beautiful sweet vocals and good solid lyrics and good musicianship. This is seriously the best release by a local artist I have heard in a long time and to me the best Australian release of the year

Blow Up Betty - Asking For Trouble (Self Released) reviewed by Hayden Kenneth-Michael

"Asking For Trouble" is the name of the new release from Adelaide 4-piece Blow Up Betty. This group of rock-chicks have manged to put together quite a snazzy collection of poppy, punky tunes which, if this is your preferred genre, this could very well be the soundtrack to your upcoming sumer . The opening track "The Best Drug" is indicative of things to come elsewhere on the E.P, both vocally & musically. Dealing with relationships & the ensuing complications, the good times & the bad, the lyrics featured on "Asking For Trouble" could have been penned by any number of pop/rock-chick writers (think anything from The Donnas to The Bangles) but they are delivered in a way that is distinctively Blow Up Betty. Musically, similar references come to mind. Stand out track for mine is "You (Don't Wanna Be), which has a real likeness in both title & style to something the Ramones would have happy to release in their heyday. Whereas this release could have merely been just another chick-rock number, Blow Up Betty have gone above and beyond this call in delivering what could be considered one of Australia's best releases this summer. Sure to be a festival favorite in the coming months. 3.8/5stars H. Kenneth-Michael

Confuse – Misanthrope (Self Released) Reviewed by Dan Parr

Misanthrope is the debut album from English metal band Confuse. And what a great debut it is, with a high level of professionalism shown. Confuse have a great sound which is overwhelmingly unique, and thankfully they steer well away from the current mainstream rock style. The band kicks straight into it with Talk To Me, which sets the scene for the album with some stunning guitar riffs, fantastic vocals and powerful melodies. Confuse use variation in tempo to a brilliant effect throughout the whole album, and there is no better example of it than in this song. They are not afraid to slow it down and let their excellent musicianship shine through. Stars and You and Them are the slower songs on the album and they use vocals and melodies to carry the song when the tempo is held back. But there are two songs which stand above the rest, and these are Dehumanise and Headaches. The guitar work in Dehumanise is excellent and is probably the best on the album. There are some really heavy riffs in these songs and these are a reflection on the dark theme of the song. Headaches is where they pull all the different styles that they have used throughout the album into one epic 7 minute song. It starts off slowly then builds into big heavy riffs, catchy verses with some exceptional harmonising and a commanding chorus. This is the best song on the album. Overall it is an excellent album, you can purchase it from the band’s website http://www.myspace.com/confuseband
Four stars.

Jenn Franklin - Errors & Admissions (Self Released) reviewed by Hayden Kenneth-Michael
Errors & Admissions may be the title of this debut e.p for songstress Jenn Franklin, but on it you are not likely to find either. At six tracks,it is just enough to get you somewhat hooked & to keep wanting for more. The opening number "What Took You So Long" hints at an "angry-rock chick" frame of mind (think Alanis circa Jagged Little Pill), but is still catchy enough for you to gather that Frankiln is really enjoying what she does. The mood may lighten up somewhat for the remainder of the release, but the infectiousness of the music & vocals doesn't. "Impasse 900" could be a staple of mainstream rock radio for years to come, while "innocence to Lose" is bound to get the lighters and cellphones flickering en masse when performed live. Musically this is a highy polished, well crafted effort & while vocally, it may sometimes seem a little cliche heavy, the cliches are fresh & fail to come across as sounding corny, as they so often can. A couple of listens through & I can amost guarantee you'll be singing along to it like you've owned it for ever. Errors & Admissions is suprisingly one of the best releases I have heard so far this year. Keep any eye out for it & be sure to check out www.jennfranklin.com for more info on this up & coming talent. 4/5 Stars.

Geoff Byrd - Featurette (Self Released)

Geoff Byrd could have been one of the biggest music success stories ever on the Internet and of word of mouth. He had talent, wonderful fantastic songs that really were something, he was on the brink of being a star but his age came into play and the major label wanted him to say he was younger and so he ditched the label and his manager and has put out his latest release Featurette which is most personal and experimental album to date from the music star by himself It's starts off with the sweet song Featurette which has gorgeous melodies,harmonies and vocals, nice use of strings and backing vocals. It is a song that truly beautiful to the ears. Provacateur to me has hints of The Beatles and the beach boys with the clapping and the beach boys styled backing harmonic vocals. It is a really catchy number with solid vocals, good melodies and harmonies and solid songwriting and solid vocals and lyrics. Summer starts off with harmonic group style vocals and goes into laid back electric guitars solid vocals, good honest lyrics, beautiful melodies and harmonies and it is a really good. The Sentinels is my favorite song on the CD, I just love this song it so screams radio, it's just a gorgeous piece of pop music with a rock edge, it's got good solid melodies and harmonies, sweet vocals and good lyrics. It is a really really well written song, I just truly love this song. Insignificant Others is another great song with choir styled vocals at the start then just turns into Geoff singing his heart out with another winner of a track. Good solid vocals and melodies and joyful lyrics and solid songwriting. Geoff manages to play all the instruments on the album, he wrote all the songs and even produced his album. The Ballad of Patch Walker is a country folk rock styled song with the vocals going in a different direction, they have a country feel to them. It's a good solid song that shows off his vocals and songwriting skills. For Whatever It’s Worth is another solid song that shows of his beautiful vocals and songwriting skills. It another sweet song with good melodies and harmonies and good musicianship. Terra Firma is another up beat pop track that has solid melodies,good solid vocals well written and is truly a joy to the ears. I just love it. Under the Sun finish off the song well, it's well written a joy to ears, good vocals, Geoff has gone for the Motown vibe feel and it really does show. It finishes off the album well. This is a solid top class effort of an album. This is a guy who stuck to his beliefs and has made a winner of an album. It's just really really good and any of these songs could be easily played on radio. This is a must have album and you know you need to get it.

The Open Season - Before We Start (Pee Records/Reverberation Distrubution)

The Open Season are back with their latest release Before We Start. It more good post hardcore with a dash of punk rock in the fold. It starts off with Blinded By Tradition which is solid melodies and vocals, good musicianship, good solid lyrics and it's really hits the release off well. Don't Believe In Goodbyes has solid vocals,melodies and harmonies. Good solid musicianship and like the rest of the release it is well produced. The Sun From Both Sides is a well written song is a slower song unlike the rest it has great use of piano thru out the track. Good solid melodies and vocals that work well with the track. Good musicianship and good lyrics as well. What Is Real is a great song that is real anthem upbeat energetic music that has good solid melodies, good vocals that really really work well here. Jimmy Hat finishes off the ep well with good solid melodies and vocals and good rhythms and harmonies. It's another song that works well and I could see the radio stations play and yeah good use of backing vocals here, Overall this is a top release worthy of your time.

Kristin Hoffmann - Real (Starr Records)

Kristin Hoffman latest album Real is quite simply the real deal. It is such fantastic pop rock tunes. It's starts off with Silhouette with a beautiful pop song with beautiful melodies,harmonies and rhythms. Good solid vocals and lyrics by Kristin that really shine. It is a truly beautiful song that shines and starts off the album so well and it's one of my favorites. Bittersweet is another winner of a track that has good solid vocals and lyrics,melodies and harmonies that truly shine and good musicianship. Kristin vocals really do shine here as they really stand out. Light is another winner of a track, it soulful upbeat vocals and good backing vocals. It's got nice upbeat melodies and harmonies, good lyrics and good musicianship. Falling is a track that shows of her songwriting skills with beautiful melodies,harmonies, that vocals that really shine here and work well with the track. Good lyrics and good use of strings. It's a sweet song that is really something. When We Were Kids is another winner of a track that really shines, it's a sweet upbeat pop song with a rock edge, good lyrics melodies and harmonies and good musicianship and fantastic piano playing by Kristin. Kristin vocals here also shine. Home is another good track is another ballad track that has good solid vocals melodies and harmonies. It's such a wonderful song that truly is awesome. Real is another favorite of mine, It has good use of strings that work well, good solid vocals and lyrics. Good musicianship and melodies. I really liked this song. Real the title track is a song I have been playing on repeat. It's a nice pop rock that has really good solid vocals, good musicianship, sweet melodies and harmonies. It's a really good toe tapping song that truly shines and shows of Kristin songwriting skills. I loved this track. Rescue Me is my favorite track off the album. I was so won over by this track. It just such a beautiful wonderful song that I really connected with, I love everything about the song. It's so sweet and beautiful. It's got gorgeous melodies and rhythms beautiful solid vocals and good lyrics and harmonies. Kristin songwriting skills here truly truly shine. I just love this song and totally connected with it. I love it. I declare is another good track that I liked and finishes off the album. It's a sweet song good lyrics,good melodies and rhythms, solid vocals and lyrics. Firstly why oh why was she dropped from Interscope, yes I know the reason and it just shows that Majors have no clue any more. Kristin Hoffman Real is the Real deal and it is so worth your time with plenty of wonderful beautiful song that are just really some thing. I loved every second of it. This first class all the way.

The Scissor File - From A Whisper To A Scream (Pee Records/Reverberation Distrubution)

When Pete from pee zine told me to check out this band called The Scissor File, I had a listen and boy did I love what I heard. Good solid catchy top shelf post hardcore punk rock tunes with life and energy. The EP From A Whisper To A Scream is a really a top shelf release full of good solid tunes and adds life to the genre. It starts off with Reason To Run a song that upbeat driving,catchy,good vocals and musicianship and good lyrics. I love this song it makes me want jump around the place. The Art Of Letting Go, is like the first song a bit with good solid vocals,melodies and harmonies Good Musicianship, well written. The song has got life and energy to bring it to the next level. Hold Still is probably the power ballad on the EP if you call it that, good solid song with good lyrics,melodies and harmonies, well written and it's a great song to listen to. Save Me (KMOH) is a song that is really got a post hardcore feel to it, it's a solid song that is catchy, good melodies,rhythms and harmonies, it's a song that is well played and well sung. I really like the tune and it has been getting repeat by me. Cheap Shots is another post hardcore sounding track with good solid melodies,rhythms and harmonies. Good lyrics and good musicianship. The EP is a well produced and well written. I can't think highly enough of this EP,first time in ages I have listen to a band that I truly really like and every song on the cd. This EP is top shelf and so worth your time, so get it now.

Scotty Don't - Self Titled (Self Released)

Scotty Don't self titled debut release is full of rock songs that have a reggae,ska vibe feel to them. Think collective soul meets sublime to me is a good indication of what their music sounds like, It's starts off with Back Porch that is a upbeat song with catchy lyrics and melodies,good harmonies,solid musicianship. It's one of the songs that you crank and just chill out to it's fantastic. When I Say is a song that is really reggae,nice laid back melodies,harmonies and vocals. Good solid vocals,good musicianship and well written. A good song that works well. Different Kind has good solid vocals,melodies,harmonies and musicianship. Good lyrics and solid songwriting. It's another funky laid back song. Punk Rock Lullaby is ballad track with accoustic guitar instead of electric guitar and vocals are in tune with the music. It's actually a really good solid, I was surprised how much I liked the track, it's got good solid vocals,melodies,good lyrics and it's well written and well played. Everything's Alright has a real reggae feel to it mixed with rock. This song so reminds me of Sublime. It's got a real summer time vibe to, a song you would crank if your chilling outside with your mates drinking beers for friends. It's a really great song with good solid vocals,melodies,rhythms and harmonies and good solid vocals and is well written. Chicago's Finest is a song about well TV cops who lived in Chicago. It's a laid back song just with the acoustic guitar. It's got good lyrics that are easy to sing along to. It's a short but sweet song that finishes off the album well. This is a good release for the band who I know will get heaps of fans from the release. It's worth a listen and to check out you will be quite surprised, I know I was.

The Lemonheads Live At The Corner Hotel - Thursday 6th Of April

I saw the lemonheads last Thursday night and they were fantastic. One of best concerts I have been to in a while. Evan Dando is such a talented front man for the band. The songs the band played were a mixture of good old classic stuff the songs everybody knew and sang a long to and also a little bit of the new stuff. It starts off with him and the band playing then after a long time they go out and he just comes out with his electric guitar playing some stuff and there were some songs eg The Outdoor Type where everybody in the room was singing along and it felt great. The the band comes back play a few more songs. Then it finishes but for the encore he just comes out with his acoustic guitar and plays a few more songs and it's just magic to hear him and his acoustic guitar. If you were at the gig and were a fan like myself, you would of not been disappointed. It was money well spent for an awesome gig that left you wanting more.

Stapleton - Hug The Coast (Gravity Dip Records)

Stapleton is an indie rock band from Scotland and their latest album Hug The Coast is fantastic and was produced and recorded by the legendary J Robbins. It starts off with Capitals which has solid melodies, good harmonies,solid vocals,good musicianship,well written. It starts off the album well and it got me hooked. It a sweet song that really shines, the kinda song that got me hooked into indie rock music. Happy Homes And The Hearts That Make Them is a song that is straight honest indie rock, good solid vocals,good solid melodies,well written,good musicianship. It reminded of The Promise Ring, It's a solid song that energetic,full of life,driving and works well with the album. Full Beams Down The Mountain is another song that is pure indie rock, driving, energetic,solid melodies and vocals,good solid songwriting,good musicianship and it's another track that wins me over. Sharks At Four is more of slow paced track that let's the melodies,vocals,lyrics shine here. It reminds me of Jets To Brazil,crossed with The Promise Ring. It is a song that really shows of the songwriting skills of the band and musicianship of the band. Make The Shapes is a favorite of mine, solid vocals,beautiful melodies,solid lyrics. It's sorta of driving sweet song that reminds me that this is what good music is about. Ships Of The North Atlantic was song that got me hooked into Stapleton music It is my favorite song off the album, It is to me what an indie rock song should be good melodies,good harmonies,good rhythms, good solid vocals,good songwriting. It makes a good song. It's an upbeat song that is catchy with solid lyrics. The use of the other instrument thru this track makes this song that just a little bit special. Between The Lines is another favorite of mine, it's a song that has good vocals that really do shine, this song all shows off the songwriting here, it is really a winner here. It is an Indie rock song that has heart energy and life. Coat Of Arms is a solid song with solid melodies and harmonies, good vocals that really shine here, good musicianship,good songwriting. It's a song that goes at a nice pace and show off the talents of the band here. Steadfast And Sure is an another favorite mine, it's an upbeat catchy song with great melodies,vocals that really do shine here, good harmonies,good solid lyrics. It is a well written song with good musicianship. The Storm You Never Knew About Blew Half The Island Into The Sea has J Robbins Touches all over. It's what indie rock is about good solid songwriting,vocals that never destroy the song. It's more a laid back song that indie rock is more know for. It is a wonderful song that shows off the bands talents. Hat Tipping is another upbeat indie rock that shines, it's got good melodies,harmonies and vocals. It is really well written, a joy to the ears. Good solid lyrics, it's is a really great song. Grasshoppers is another solid song that is well written with beautiful melodies,rhythms and harmonies. It is a joy to ears. Waltzer finishes off the album with a beautiful song laid back with good melodies,harmonies,solid vocals, good songwriting and musicianship. Honesty I love this album, one of the best discoveries I have found in ages in regards to bands. I love the songs on here. Such solidly written songs that are a joy to the ears. I recommend you check this out, it's so worth you time.

Agent - Expand/Contract (Self Released but distrubuted in nz by Global Routes)

Agent Expand/Contact is a fine metal album, It is alternative metal. I can tell where they get their influences from. This album rivals what the bigger and more known bands have put out and is so worth your time. It's starts off with Crotch Shrub Janitor which is an intro song that shows of the bands musicianship,songwriting and it starts off the album well then goes into No Future which dark,heavy, good solid melodies,rhythms, good solid vocals and lyrics. It's a good solid song that needs to be played loud. Burden Of Expression is a great song and shows of Jimi vocal rang, where can sing and also scream, it's shows he can do both with ease, It's also shows his fantastic songwriting skills, plus the fine musicianship. It's good solid dark melodies and rhythms and some great guitar playing. Hiatus has a really good intro with some awesome guitar playing with some great melodies, This happens to be one of my favorite songs, good solid vocals that really do shine,good musicianship,good songwriting. It also has got good lyrics. It's got dark dense melodies and rhythms. This is a song that I could see rock stations picking up and playing and getting a great response from the listeners. Ballad Of Russell Crowe has a bit of hardcore influence with the vocals sounding gruff, it's fast pace drumming, dark melodies, It has a real 80's hardcore vibe to it which makes the song sound great. Crave is a great track, it's a solid song with solid melodies and vocals that really work well, song is well written, the way the bass is used here is fantastic. It is a truly a good song that really does shine. Independent Thought Alarm is fast,powerful,energetic and has some solid vocals,melodies,rhythms. Monology is another solid track that has right amount of angst,solid vocals that easily change from singing to screaming. Jimi voice really does work well here and it also shows off his songwriting skills. The musicianship is top notch, a solid alternative metal track that could easily win them more fans and also seeing rock stations playing it also. EtunimAni is a great instrumental track that shows of the songwriting,the musicianship,guitar playing and let's the listener know how a good band they are. It's a really great track that really does shine. Power Trip is a song that angst fulled,dark melodies,solid vocals that work well with the song here. Stomp is good solid alternative metal music, it's got the right amount of everything to make a track worth while. It's got solid vocals,well written,good musicianship,good melodies. It's just rocks and needs to be turned up loud. Expand/Contract finishes off the album well with another great song that has got solid vocals that sound great,along side some good dark melodies,excellent musicianship,great guitar playing, it is a solidly written song. This is a fine debut album for Agent. It's alternative metal heaven, It sounds great for the budget I know they must of have to produced and record it. This is well worth for you time, check them out before they become the next big buzz band in metal. Visit http://www.agent.net.nz for more info and how to get a copy and if you live in nz ask for it at your record shop they have distribution for it there.

The Wellingtons - For Friends In Far Away Places (Popboomerang Records)

The Wellingtons play really catchy power pop tunes that are well written and a joy to the ears. It's starts off with Top 10 List, which is catchy melodies,vocals,rhythms, solid songwriting and good use of backing vocals. It's got good lyrics, that you will be singing to or humming away to in no time. Sight For Sore Eyes, is a really really good song that reminds me of Sekiden, it's got good solid melodies,rhythms and harmonies. It has good use of keyboards thru out the song Good solid vocals and lyrics, It is a catchy song but it's a song I could see radio playing. It's just a song that's a joy to the ears. Singer In A Cover Band is a song that has a real rock edge to with out losing the style of music they play. It's a song which the title says what's about. It's got good melodies,rhythms. Good musicianship, well written and it really rocks. If We Feel OK is another favorite and highlight for me off the album, it's a really well written song that reminds me of my favorite power pop band The New Pornographers, with it's melodies,rhythms, the use of keyboards in the right place and the use of both male and female vocals thru out the track. It's getting repeat by me. Girls In Magazines is quite simply a short sweet poppy upbeat song that has good melodies,rhythms,solid vocals and lyrics. Goodbye Heartbreaker is another great solid written slice of power pop heaven, with good solid vocals,lyrics,melodies and rhythms. It well written, good musicianship, you can tell the band hard work thru out the album and it's show with good songs like this one. Penny is a song is another song that reminds me of The New Pornographer with energy, honesty, solid song writing and good musicianship, it's also really catchy and you can really tell the joy they bring to there songs. Doin' It With You has a little bit of reggae feel but really it is their ballad track with nice laid back melodies,vocals and harmonies. It's a sweet song that really shines and it really sucks you into the melodies and rhythms. Zac vocals really do shine here. It is a winner of a song. The Nice One, is sung by Kate & Zac, she gets more singing time here, it's a really catchy song that gets you moving about with it's solid vocals and melodies and harmonies and rhythms plus it's good lyrics. Another highlight for me. She Gave Up finishes off the album well with sweet melodies,vocals and harmonies, it's has great lyrics, well written song and good musicianship, plus it is really catchy and I really do like the use of keyboards and how the vocals are used here and yes this song really does remind me of The New Pornographers. This is a fine power pop album and easily one of the best local release of the year of 2007, I'm glad I discovered this band and having heard this wonderful solid piece of power pop heaven I can see why they are popular and how they got their Japanese record deal, I hope this does well for the band and I can see why and you know you have to go get this now. Highly Recommend and this will be on my best of 2007 list for sure.

Sarah P - Two Tracks Off MySpace (not a cd)

OK I am gonna be totally honest here, I am not the hugest fan of modern R&B Music. I don't have any modern R&B in my music collection. But this artist simply known as Sarah P found the site contacted me, so I decided what the heck I'll give a listen to her music. The first song is called Unable To Be Free . It's a modern R&B which good backing vocals by Sarah P, a rapper which is actually his song does a solid job of doing the rapping, it sounds good, production values are good, it's a catchy song with some good lyrics, good backing vocals, it's a song well suited for radio. The next song is called Empty Space, is a nice modern R&B song that has more and less the same style of rhythm and feel is as the same track but she does a lot more sing and it sound really good, Her vocals are really good, the beats and rhythms and melodies and harmonies. There is a rapper in the middle of track who works well with the song. It is a different rapper to the first one. Overall the songs are good, I assume they are demos but they sound really good, produced well and overall they are worth listen, so go here and have a listen http://www.myspace.com/sparkemusic

Felicity Urquhart - My Life (Felicity Entertainment/Shock Records)

Felicity Urquhart won an golden guitar for her video clip Big Black Cloud and is easy to see why she won it with an album like My Life. It starts off with The Flood which is a good honest country song fulled with good lyrics,melodies,vocals and harmonies. It is a country song with heart. It is a personal song that is really toe tapping good time fun. On & On is a nice laid back song with good melodies, sweet powerful vocals, solid lyrics, good musicianship and good songwriting. It's a sweet nice country ballad song. Big Black Cloud is a powerful slow country song with good solid vocals and lyrics, good musicianship,great guitar playing and all over good song. I haven't seen the video but because the song good. I can see why she won a golden guitar for the video. Breathe is another good solid song with good melodies,harmonies,good vocals and lyrics. This is one is written by Felicity by herself and it is a really well written song that really shines and really won me over. No Mistakes was the song that got be interested in Felicity, it has got great vocals, good solid melodies and harmonies, good lyrics. It is a really good country rock song that really shines that I really did like. A Little Joy is a lovely ballad with good sweet joyful vocals, good musicianship, good guitar playing, good songwriting by Felicity, it's a winner of a country song. Felicity vocals really bring you into the song and drift to that special place. My Life is a song with heart, good vocals and melodies, good songwriting and great guitar playing,good musicianship. It's another favorite of mine with it's heart and soul and good musicianship. Lonely Girl is a nice laid back ballad that really shines and shows off Felicity vocals here, it's a nice song and good use of cello in the back ground. It really well written with Felicity and Glen Hannah. It's just a really beautiful sweet song that shows off Felicity voice. That Boy Sure Can A Jump A Train is a good solid laid back country song with solid vocals and melodies, good use of backing vocals, great guitar playing and fiddle playing Plus the use of Harmonica is a really nice. Listening to this song I am taking to a special place with the great guitar playing,good vocals and solid songwriting. Mr Catfish is a rollicking good time catchy country song that is so catchy you will be tapping and singing along in no time. It what makes a good catchy country song is about. Good solid vocals,catchy melodies and rhythms, good use of Harmonica,fiddle and drumming. Still Alive is a country song that I could easily hear being played on radio. It has got melodies,rhythms and harmonies. Plus good solid vocals and melodies. It's a really good country song. Take Me Back is a nice country song, good melodies,harmonies, solid vocals,good songwriting and good musicianship. It's what makes a good song to me. Turn Out The Lights is a nice bonus track which really could be part of the album. It's a nice song and a worthy addition as a bonus to the cd. Overall this is a good cd and also for the fact that it's a independent album. It has big distributor like Shock which is independent but it was made independently and this could be easily a major label produced album because it sounds really really good but it's not which also shows you don't need a major label to make a great record like My Life. Give this cd is a shot, it's got great songs on here and is a worthy addition to your cd collection, country music fan or not.

Bianca Jade - East 3rd Street (Manning Street Records)

Bianca Jade latest release East 3rd Street is a fantastic release full of great folk tunes that are well written and a joy to the ears, it is well produced and also has a fantastic production work on the case, which looks really classy and all for an independent release. The first song East 3rd Street is a really catchy toe tapping country folk song that is beautifully sung and well played with some good lyrics,good melodies and harmonies, it is a song that really shines, and got me humming and tapping away in no time. Nobody Told Me is a nice laid back song with great melodies,harmonies,good vocals, good musicianship and well written by Bianca, I really liked it as it was nicely sung, just really well done, just really shines. Leaving The Country is a song about love and it really shines and I do mean it and Bianca really really sing wells here it has some great melodies,harmonies,good lyrics that really work well here plus good musicianship and of course Bianca brilliant songwriting. The Ice Princess & The Clown is a lovely song that really won over with it's laid back charms,Bianca sweet vocals and her good lyrics. Good melodies and harmonies and some wonderful guitar playing and drumming plus solid songwriting. What You Can Say is a wonderful song with some good solid sweet vocals by Bianca, good lyrics,good guitar playing and it is really well written, it is some how really catchy, I was moving in my feet getting into the groove of the song. I really liked this song. Peace Of Mind is a nice laid back song with good melodies,harmonies,good lyrics, great guitar playing, it is really a joy to the ears. It really won me over. This is a fantastic release with Bianca Sweet vocals,her fantastic songwriting, such wonderful tunes,great guitar playing. I wanna here some more stuff from her now. East 3rd Street is a must have release by this wonderful Aussie artist.

Debra Aryln - Complicated Mess (Home Slice Music)

Debra Aryln is an artist who after hearing the first note, I was hooked and very impressed right away. Her music has been described as Piano Pop. She writes her music and even produced her latest album. Her latest album Complicated Mess is just fantastic. An album which really won me over from the first note, It not often I get a CD which right from the first note, I am hooked. It starts off with Let It Go which is catchy poppy upbeat song that shows off Debra vocals and songwriting skills. It's a song that is upbeat and full of life. The lyrics are great, they really make you sing along, It also has good melodies and harmonies. Fine is a ballad that really shows of her talents, The song has great vocals,good solid lyrics, good use of backing vocals, It has great melodies,harmonies and good musicianship. It is a really good song that shows of her talents. Complicated Mess is a poppy number with a rock edge, shows of her talents with her good solid vocals,good honest lyrics,great songwriting skills plus good melodies,harmonies that work well with the song. Circles is another great track, it's a rocky poppy ballad that shows off her great vocals,good solid songwriting skills and good honest lyrics, It's just a really good song that shines. Why Can't We Start Over? reminds me a lot of Fiona apple with it's dark melodies, Debra beautiful piano playing, good solid soulful vocals by Debra, It's a really good song that shows off Debra's talents which she has plenty of. I'll Walk Away is a favorite of mine as it has got great melodies,harmonies,good solid vocals,honest lyrics,well written song. It's a really great song that is catchy to me and won me over with it's melodies and charms. The One is another solid song with catchy melodies,harmonies,good solid vocals and good lyrics. It's a well written song that has a lot of heart. Words I Never Meant is a solid upbeat ballad track with good solid vocals, honest lyrics. Beautiful melodies and harmonies, good songwriting and beautiful piano playing by Debra. The horns used in this track are nice touch to what is a really good song. Fall Apart is a really great song that has good melodies,good powerful grabbing vocals that really do shine here, It's a solid song that is really well written with powerful vocals and good musicianship. Roll On finishes off the album well with a poppy number that's really catchy, good solid vocals, good melodies and harmonies. It is a really catchy song. If you haven't got this album by the time you have finish reading this review what are you waiting for. This probably one of best album's I have heard in a long time. Sure I have said in a number of reviews but this one I mean it, this girl is extremely talented, writes and plays and sings her own music and she even produced the album. Debra Arlyn Complicated Mess is a must have album, Get It Now or be left out when you haven't discovered the hit new artist first. Amazing Stuff.

Stepanian - Wait Out The Rain (Self Released)

Stepanian latest release Wait Out The Rain is a solidly produced ep full of well written,honest rock pop songs. It starts off with Beautiful Disguise a catchy very radio friendly song that is well written, got great melodies,harmonies,good vocals and lyrics. Plus the saxophone used in the Chorus is a nice touch to the song. I could so hear this on radio and people lapping it up. Everything is a funky rock tune that turns into a solid rock pop tune that got great melodies and harmonies, solid vocals and good lyrics. This is also a very radio friendly song that be a hit with the people. The harmonica used in this song is a nice touch. Straight Up is rock with a dash of pop melodies. It's a good honest enjoyable song that works well. It's catchy like the rest of them. Good solid vocals,melodies,harmonies and good musicianship. It's a nicely written song too. Falling is a rock song that is well crafted, good vocals,good musicianship, it is a joy to ears. Like all the songs on here it's radio friendly and in a good way. The song isn't stale the band know how to write songs that breathe life into rock pop music genre and touches like Saxophone and Harmonica add to listening experience. It finishes off with Caroline which is a nice rock song with pop melodies. It is like others a joy to listen to as it's well sung,well written and well played. Overall this a good produced EP, that's sounds like it could be on a major label but you would be surprised that they did this themselves. I can see this doing well for the band and raising it's profile. This worth a listen and telling friends about. Good Stuff.

Michael Jantz - Snapshots Of The Universe (Ruby Records)

Michael Jantz plays rock music with an acoustic edge. His new album Snapshots Of The Universe is a well produced enjoyable solid listen of an album. It starts off with Love Is But An Ocean which is a solid rock song that has great vocals and melodies,good solid lyrics. It really solid song that really pulls you in. Always On Time is a nice laid back song that has great melodies,harmonies,good vocals and great backing vocals by Hannah Prater. It brings you in with it's nice sweet vocals, good lyrics and great harmonies and melodies. You is a nice upbeat catchy rock song with good melodies,harmonies and good vibes. It just really wanna make you sing along. It's one of the highlights for me. Turn On The Radio has a laid back country folk feel to it. It really a nice cruisey song that drifts you away into the melodies,vocals,harmonies and vocals which are good. The backing vocals by Hannah Prater work well with the song. Sierra is a laid back song with a Latin feel to it and it's nicely done with good melodies,harmonies and good lyrics. It's a really chilled song that is great. Tell The Truth is a nice upbeat catchy feel good rock song with a dash of pop melodies. It's got good vocals,melodies,harmonies, great lyrics and good musicianship. The song writing and musicianship are excellent. Stop stuff all the way. Have We All Gone Crazy is just a really good rock song with great melodies,harmonies,good lyrics,solid songwriting,great vocals and good musicianship. This what a good rock song should be. I have been playing this song on repeat. Mama's Comin' Home has that old time rock 'n' roll feel to it with the lyrics and the way of vocals sounding It has good melodies and harmonies. It's a toe tapping good song. Livin' On Sunshine is a real rocky rooty's track with good melodies,harmonies and vocals. Backing vocals by Hannah Prater work well with the song. It works well. Better Than You is a really good rock song with great melodies,harmonies,rythms,good solid vocals and some good lyrics. It just really worked with me when the first note came out. It's a well written song that really really shines. It's a favorite of mine. Goodnight, Irene is last song and is a nice laid back acoustic number, It's some nice lyrics that work with the song and it really finishes off the album well. Overall I can see why this guy is making a name for himself with some high profile gigs and with an album like this one full of good solid song that are sung well,played well and written well. I can see this album doing good things for him,there are plenty of songs on here which will grab the listeners ears. A Solid album from an artist to watch out for. He could be picked up by any big label soon.

Monikers - Eat Your Young (Kiss Of Death Records)

Monikers EP Eat Your Young is full of angst gruff pop punk. The kinda stuff which was around before bands like Green Day made it big. It starts off with Information which is an angst anthem song with good lyrics,melodies and some good musicianship. It really starts the EP off well with a catchy anthem that gets you rocking out. Two Stories is a really great catchy pop punk track that has little bits of influences from rancid in it. It's a catchy track with some great melodies,rhythms, some good vocals and some good lyrics. Musicianship is also good. Holidays is another great pop punk track that has good melodies,rhythms and great vocals. It is a really catchy song that get's you singing away and moving about. Mirror Images is a really great track that is really well written, it's catchy, got good musicianship,good vocals and some good lyrics. It's a really great pop punk song that shines with life. Not The New is a acoustic track and it's good with good lyrics and the gruff vocals really work well here. Overall this a great little EP. It's full of really great catchy punk pop songs. It's worth checking out. I was surprised when I put this CD in my CD player, it won me over with good old fashioned punk pop songs. Give this a shot it's really good, I can't wait to hear more.

Light Yourself On Fire - Self Titled(Kiss Of Death Records)

Light Yourself On Fire self titled EP is full of good honest hardcore/death metal tracks. The songs have energy,angst,great vocals and some good song writing. It starts off with 960 am which is heavy,solid balls of a hardcore track with some great vocals,rhythms and good musicianship. It starts off the EP well. Smells Like It Sounds is dark,heavy,great gruff vocals, good honest lyrics,good musicianship and it's a song that needs to be played loud. Flux Capacitor is a dark heavy ever so moving hardcore track with great drumming,good musicianship, great vocals and some good rhythms. It's a song that really done shine plus some good lyrics. Rickshaw is an great track with some rhythms,driving beat,solid vocals, some good lyrics. It really does sound great. A good song that had me banging my head away. You Talking Is It Necessary is heavy, solid,good musicianship,it's got great vocals that really wanna make you let all your anger out. 4 Blows has great vocals,good rhythms,good musicianship, good lyrics, it's a well written track with energy and honesty. Revision Starts At Home has some good rhythms,good riffs thought out the track, solid vocals and good lyrics. It finishes off the EP well. Overall it's a good EP for the band and fans of this kinda music will wanna have a listen and pick it up. It's deserves to be played loud. The production values are fine. I think this will help them start their musical career.

Lisa Maxwell - Select Vancancy (Essential Music Australia)

Lisa Maxwell debut album Select Vacancy is a great release for this singer songwriter. She writes and plays rock songs with an alternative edge. Select Vacancy starts off the album with good solid vocals, upbeat edgy melodies and harmonies. Good lyrics and good musicianship. You just want to crank it loud and sing along to it. It's a song full of life with honesty. Anna is a rock song thru and thru with edgy dark melodies, good solid vocals that shine that really bring the song to the next level. It's a solidly written rock song that edgy and has some good lyrics to boot. I Know is a favorite of mine, good solid vocals and melodies, some good lyrics and good musicianship. This song has some good upbeat melodies. This song just grabs you and won't stop. Waste Of Life is the one song I could so hear on radio. It's a really good dark rock ballad with a faint hint of melody along side it. It's catchy edgy and some really good lyrics and good solid vocals that shine from Lisa. Delusion is another rock ballad type song with some good vocals, good lyrics well written by Lisa. It's song that full of life and energy, you can help but sing along and groove along to it. I know that sounds corny but that what I think. Secrets And Lies is another favorite of mine. I really liked the start of the track. It's a really great rock song that is edgy,solidly written, full of great melodies and harmonies and good solid vocals that really shine and some good lyrics. I have been playing this song on repeat. Not So Easy it's a good rock song that got some good melodies and harmonies. Good musicianship, a well written track and some good solid vocals and good lyrics By Lisa. It's good dark edgy rock song. Never Coming Back Here Again is another good solid rock that really highlights off Lisa powerful solid voice. It's an upbeat edgy rock song that full of life with soul and energy. Harmonic Rock is a just a good solid instrumental rock track that shows off her good song writing skills. It's tops. Same Story is a really really great track that so reminds me off Fur Patrol as it has good melodies,harmonies,great vocals and really good musicianship I could seriously see radio picking this up. It really does show off her vocals and songwriting skills and her good honest well written lyrics. This and like every other song is well produced for the budget that they obviously had for the album. It sounds great. Out Of Sight finishes off the album well with a good solid dark rock ballad with good solid edgy melodies,great lyrics, good solid vocals and it's just a great song to listen to. This is just a good solid rock album with great rock songs that are well written and sung solidly by Lisa. Turn this up loud and start singing away to Lisa Maxwell – Select Vacancy. It's tops.

Jessica Paige - Under My Skin EP (Self Released/Sound Vault Records)

Jessica Paige’s new EP Under My Skin is an excellent EP and deserves great success. It is well-produced and sounds awesome! She won a JB Seed Grant to help her band tour to publicise the EP, which rivals one that any money-loaded label would put out. It starts off with Under My Skin, which is a pop/rock track that is so beautifully written and brings you in with Jessica’s powerful vocals and the driving beat. This song was on her first EP but has been re-done with added use of violin to give a more polished feel. It really works with the song to make it a powerful ballad/anthem that I can hear being played on radio. It's a really wonderful song which has won several national and international awards. Buckley is a pop-rock song about musical artists/bands and Jessica’s dreams of writing and playing like them. It's a song with quirky lyrics and a really catchy melody. A retro guitar sound and brilliant guitar solos add to its appeal and her songwriting skills and her great voice are obvious. Let It Out is really wonderful and it's one of my favourites off the EP. It is a beautifully written, honest, personal ballad with great melodies, harmonies, Jessica’s voice, in turn delicate and vibrant, and poetic lyrics. My Best Friend is a really jazzy pop song that gets you tapping away. The musicianship is excellent with good use of jaunty piano throughout the song. Pitter Pat is a really soulful, laidback, jazzy song - it reminds me of Sade, Sera and Kate Earl, especially with the great trumpet lines. It has gorgeous vocals and clever lyrics along side some beautiful melodies. The EP finishes off with Dear Sweet Friend which has a great driving conga rhythm. It really shows off Jessica’s voice and her songwriting skills. The use of violin throughout the track adds to the strong emotional element. Again, a lovely melody and harmonies makes the song really shine. Overall, this is a first class EP with some great songs to listen to. Jessica’s hard work has paid off to record a solid EP with great songs that will win the hearts of many, including me. Go pick this up right away and listen to the next big thing, mark my words.

Casey Watt - Lead You Astray (Self Released)

Casey Watt is a queensland based country singer songwriter. Her latest album Lead You Astray is full of good solid honest country tunes that are great to listen to.I Don't Wanna Work This Hard is a good solid song to start the album off with good melodies,harmonies,rhythms and great vocals by Casey. The musicianship is also good. My Heart's Always Calling Home is a beautiful wondefull song with good melodies,harmonies,rhythms and good solid vocals by Casey and good lyrics. It is a beautifully written song by Casey. It's just a joy to listen to and it's been getting a repeat from me. It's a favourite of mine. Close The Door is more of an upbeat pop rock song that's full of life with good melodies,harmonies and rythms that getting you tapping and singing away in no time. It's a just good enjoyable song that' well written by Casey. Daddy Says is more of laidback pop song with a latin feel to it with good solid vocals by Casey plus good melodies,harmonies and good lyrics that go well with the song. It's All Coming Back To Me Now is a country song that grabs you in with good solid vocals and good lyrics that work well with the song plus good musicianship and good solid melodies,harmonies as well. If I Needed You is a duet with Brendan Radford is a nice beautiful country ballad that shows of Casey voice and works well with Brendan as well. It has good lyrics and good musicianship and harmonies. Like the rest of the album it is well produced and sounds great and the musicianship is excellent and can not be faulted at all. Lead You Astray is a nice laidback song that shows off Casey good vocals,good lyrics. It also has good melodies and harmonies and musicianship is top form. You Gonna Get Hurt is a just a feel good upbeat catchy country song with great vocals and lyrics. It so damm catchy you will tapping and singing away. Musicianship is excellent and melodies and harmonies are great also. Another good track for me. Not The Only One is a great country track that's laidback with good melodies,harmonies,great vocals and lyrics. It just a nice track that wins you over with the vocals and melodies. Carousel Cowboy is a nice sweet song that is very country with great vocals and melodies,harmonies that are great. Musicianship is excellent and it's just a nice song. Half The Fun is another favourite of mine. It's an edgy upbeat song with great vocals, good solid lyrics plus good melodies and harmonies. It just a great song that's toe tapping fun. Love Me Still is a nice ballad to finish off the album which highlight's Casey great voice and the melodies and the harmonies of the track a