Zero & Position

Lies - 2:49

Controlled By Fear - 1:35

Brainwashed - 1:35

Feed Us Shit - 1:51

Media Worship - 1:11

War Machines - 2:02

Consume - 1:40

Mum Smokes - Railroads Chasms And Fantasies

2011-08-04T20:54:00.002+10:00

Debut album from the Melbourne supergroup (which Melbourne band isn't?).

A great band with an odd history. Erratic touring schedule. A long break from playing shows followed by an invitation from the Dirty Three to play ATP in England. Another break, another album then it was all over

It was only with the release of their second, and last album, Easy/House Music that I was made aware of their beautiful, brooding sound. I was also lucky enough to see their final (possibly first?) Sydney show for the launch.

While I and most others would agree that the double LP is their masterpiece, it is well worth noting that Railroads is just as good.

Gardening Plans - 3:05

Tattooed - 3:27

Pineapple Song - 2:27

Give Too Much Away - 3:11

Running French - 1:54

Backward - 3:20

Rooftop - 3:06

Parachute Dogteeth - 2:16

Simple Life - 3:29

Sausage Dog Reprise - 1:07

Useless - 3:19

Oneseventeen - 4:14

Karl Won't Play - 2:29

Marvellous Rainbow - 1:12

Walkabout - 2:22

Fear Like Us - Demo

2011-04-26T14:21:00.003+10:00

Thank God Fear Liks Us are playing the final Arthouse show. I probably still would have gone but I would have felt like a lame wad if there wasn't any bands playing that I was interested in.

Another Jamie Hay associated musical project, it's only in the last month or so that I've gotten into this and their self titled full length. Full of folk punk goodness.

So yeah, come Saturday, there may be a tear in my eye. Long live The Arty!

Neo (Deceptor) Cons - 2:56

Into The Sunset On My High Horse - 2:52

I Aint Marching Anymore (Phil Ochs) - 2:44

When We Close Our Eyes To Cross The Streets - 3:52

The Biting Cold - 1:49

Music & Movement - 3:14

Antiskeptic - Memoirs Of A Common Man

2011-04-10T19:12:00.004+10:00

I got pretty excited when I heard that Antiskeptic were reforming for a one-off show. One of the first bands I saw multiple times when I started going to "punk" when I was 16, I was keen to go, despite never being a huge fan of Horsell Common, headliners of the show and another band making one final appearance in the name of The Arthouse. But it fell on the same night as Jimmy Eat World. But eventually I decided I couldn't afford to go and of course by that stage tickets were all gone.

So instead, I downloaded and listened to this album for the first time in forever. And to my surprise, it has actually held up pretty well.

Except 60% Intentional. Man that song is cheesy.

As Yet Untitled - 3:17

FYSC - 2:24

60% Intentional - 3:49

Change My Ways - 4:05

Letting Go - 2:53

Tears Simone - 3:30

Called - 3:22

Teach Him Well - 4:03

Four Seasons - 3:13

Prove Me Wrong - 3:14

Reflections Perceptions - 8:13

Lungs - Breathe, Bastard, Breathe

2011-03-29T15:17:00.005+11:00

Ever busy Adam Lees, formerly of Staying At Home and currently of a million other projects, is lead singer and guitarist of straightforward punk band Lungs. I know the word straightforward has a connotation of being boring but they are far from it.

Though I prefer his aforementioned band Staying At Home and the band he started but recently left, Animal Shapes, the staple Sydney punk band are still a treat live.

Seesawed - 1:55

Reverso (Told In Flashbacks) - 2:17

Huxley - 2:45

Gasping Organ - 1:34

Johnny Fontane - 3:19

Better Of Betting - 2:36

A Crunch Under Foot - 3:04

The Spider That Ate Itself - 3:56

Extortion - Terminal Cancer

2011-03-19T11:05:00.006+11:00

Playing the same show as Conation is Perth/Melbourne band Extortion. Even by their own admission they're the hardcore band that hipsters are allowed to like (probably why I dig them...).

Not a lot to say about them. They make awesome music and they fucking slay live.

Worthless Life - 0:37

Just A Matter Of Time - 1:24

Cut Short - 0:20

Who Cares - 1:07

Monstrosity - 0:21

Cornered - 1:24

Libidinous Grandmother - 0:48

Isolated - 1:13

Control - 0:43

Conation - The Dichotomy Of Earth And The Human Race

2011-03-14T14:10:00.003+11:00

Jamie Hay is a name you'll often hear associated with the Arthouse, so it's no surprise that three of his bands (Conation, A Death In The Family and Fear Like Us) will be playing shows at The Arthouse in the last 9 days of its existence.

One of Australias most revered hardcore bands, I was a little late to the party with these guys. I remember seeing them once for free in Sydney when I was eighteen. I don't remember them all that well but I don't recall being overly impressed. Times change, I was an idiot.

They reformed briefly last year to play a run of shows to coincide with the post-humous release The Clouds Are Gathering. I was unable to attend any of those shows so this one-off (as far as I'm aware) show is an absolute blessing.

LAST.FM

Dust Off - 1:42

Human Life Is Business Interest - 1:55

Anthematic Lies - 1:37

Body Parts - 1:24

Goodbye Nostalgia - 3:14

Sympathy - 1:05

All Hope Is Drowned In These Cold Streets - 1:06

Subject To The Artist - 1:45

Anti-Jock Revolution - 0:55

Protract - 1:12

All Your Songs Sound The Same - 0:45

Petrified - 1:38

Laws Like These - 2:02

Control Ethics Part 1 & 2 - 1:02

Food For The Thoughtless - 1:01

Comforting Words - 1:43

Minds Of The Tyrants - 2:12

One Year... - 2:58

Have A Nice Life - 1:21

The Bloody Trail Of Humanity - 1:14

A Tribute to The Arthouse

2011-03-09T18:00:00.007+11:00

In tribute to the great Melbourne venue The Arthouse, the next few posts are dedicated to some of the bands playing in the last month of shows. Having only lived in Melbourne for just over a year, it's already become a home away from home so I can't imagine what it's like for people who have been patrons for a good part of it's 20 year occupation. Read more here.

Best Australian Releases of 2010

2011-02-02T16:02:00.005+11:00

10. Deaf Wish - Mercy - Disappear

9. Naked On The Vague - Heaps Of Nothing - Wrong Room

8. Arrows - Try And Stay Upright - No Prizes For Pioneering

7. My Disco - Little Joy - Turn

6. Die! Die! Die! - Form - Caseman

5. Super Wild Horses - Fifteen - Adrian

4. Quiet Steps - Think Aloud - Dead Sea

3. Gareth Liddiard - Strange Tourist - Blondin Makes An Omelette

2. Scott & Charlene's Wedding - Para Vista Social Club - Wiseman At The Station

1. ZOND - ZOND - Blind

Arrows - Don't Write Poetry

2011-01-14T01:04:00.007+11:00

I've seen a few people round the place (ie the entire interwebz) looking for this release so I thought I'd be nice. I have no idea how I came across it in the first place but I've had it for ages.
I think this may have been the first release of theirs I heard. It definitely didn't grab me right away. In fact, I think I found it kinda boring. Listening back to the band now, even their newer stuff, it's still kind of boring but I mean that in the nicest way possible. Something about the vocals makes me want to listen to each release 50 times in a row because I feel like I'll get something new and different each time. That probably doesn't make sense but whatever.
Finally get to see them live on Australia Day and if you would like a copy of their debut Modern Art & Politics (like I have) get in quick because at the time of writing there is only 15 of 102 copies left.

MYSPACE

Introduction - 2:24
Don't Bullshit A Bullshitter - 3:41
The Next Sound You Hear - 4:00
Sleep? I Do Not, Miss - 7:46
My Verses Versus Your Lyrics - 3:48
10th August, 2006 - 5:48
Clever - 5:07

DOWNLOAD

Scott And Charlene's Wedding - Para Vista Social Club

2010-10-24T14:48:00.006+11:00

I wouldn't usually put up an album so soon after its release but with a limited run of 200 records and no iTunes release date set, this album needs to be heard.

The band, Craig Dermody and others, was named after one of the most watched soapie moments in the history of bad TV. As so often seems to happen, the first time I saw them was their album launch and last show, at least for now. Craig has relocated overseas for in definite amount of time, which also puts on hold any new activities for his other band Spider Vomit.

Each LP is unique with an old cover from another release hand painted to humorous effect.

Born To Lose - 3:28

Footscray Station - 3:26

Epping Line - 5:32

Rejected - 3:03

Every Detail - 5:01

Back In Town - 4:13

Wiseman At The Station - 4:08

Foreign Lands - 4:34

Rational - 3:20

Rational Find A Way - 4:22

Ooga Boogas - Romance And Adventure

2010-10-09T20:06:00.005+11:00

Catchy as hell surf rock from another of Mikey Young's bands.

Only had the chance to see them once, at their one and only Sydney show for last years Flip Out festival. Having listened to the album a whole bunch before the show, I have to say I was a little disappointed. So if they play another show in the next 5 years, I'd like to give them another chance.

With the release of their new 7", hopefully this won't be too far away.

Ooga Booga II - 1:08

Fannie Mae - 2:40

Neon Sunset - 2:43

I Can't Clear My Name - 1:18

On Safari - 5:36

Ooga Booga I - 2:25

Rich'N'Me - 1:48

The Clock Is Ticking - 3:12

Oogie Boogie - 3:22

Kiss Your Rocks Goodbye - 10:21

Useless Children - Useless Children

2010-10-01T08:34:00.003+10:00

This band rules a whole hell of a lot. Drums, bass, guitar. Thrash. Good fun.

Debut EP from 2008. A lot thrashier than their album from last year The Sky Is Falling.

Leave Us Alone - 1:52

These Things Change - 1:52

Spastic Nation - 1:09

Can't Feel Like This - 1:10

Sounds - 1:43

Your War - 1:15

Grinspoon - Guide To Better Living

2010-07-24T13:46:00.005+10:00

Fuck they suck now.

"Since since, since since your gone away
I hope that you had a better day
Tried to call round the other day
Instead i had a Go-Kart
Go-Kart
Living in another space
Mistake
Y-yeah

I hope the police will go away
I hope the police will go away
Their sirens bug me and so do all their radar's
Radar's
Living in another space
just ace
Thanks i'm over it

Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah yeah y-y-yeah

Sweet child your such a princess now
I love the rainbow on your brow
I love your rainbow, oh no it's winter
Winter
Living in another space
just ace
Thanks i'm over it"

NB: Check the track listing, it might be wrong in the download.

MYSPACE

Pressure Tested - 2:46

Boundary - 2:32

DC X 3 - 2:55

Sickfest - 3:11

Railrider - 4:07

Scalped - 2:36

Pedestrian - 2:14

Just Ace - 1:48

Post Enebriated Anxiety - 2:38

Repeat - 3:18

NBT - 2:25

Don't Go Away - 2:55

Balding Matters - 2:34

Bald Funk Stripe - 4:43

Champion - 2:41

Truk - 2:42

Regurgitator - Unit

2010-07-12T16:46:00.003+10:00

I didn't even realise that Regurgitator (affectionately known as The Gurge) had released an album prior to this. Unit, their second, is widely known as the album that put them on the map. Being thrashed by the then decent Triple J radio station, it also garnered 5 ARIA awards. And rightly so.

But everything since then has paled in comparison. Some of it just plain sucks (Superstright, Fat Cop etc). Then there was the cheesy and gimmicky band in a bubble that yielded yet another average album.

But with their recent move to Melbourne and a new album and tour, one never gives up hope when their is so much potential.

I Like Your Old Stuff Better Than Your New Stuff - 2:35

Everyday Formula - 2:12

(The Song Formerly Known As) - 3:25

Black Bugs - 3:00

The World Of Sleaze - 3:25

I Piss Alone - 2:05

Unit - 1:42

I Will Lick Your Arsehole - 3:20

Modern Life - 2:23

Polyester Girl - 3:33

1234 - 0:51

Mr T - 3:08

Just Another Beautiful Story - 4:38

Jebediah - Slightly Oddway

2010-07-03T15:14:00.003+10:00

So I've been pretty slack updating lately so I thought I'd make a comeback with some gold. If you are of similar age to myself and grew up listening to Triple J in the 90's, there's a good chance you'll already have all of the next few albums. Or have heard them all ten thousand times on the radio.

First is the debut effort from WA lads and lass Jebediah. There's a pretty good chance you've heard of them. If you're a bit younger, you might know lead singer Kevin Mitchell better as MOR bore-fest Bob Evans. Don't be disheartened if you find him as bland as I do, his full band created one of the catchiest albums in not so recent memory.

Missed out on their Sydney show in late 2008, one which sold out purely on word of mouth. According to their ever-reliable Wiki they are releasing another album this year but with another project currently doing the rounds with fellow folk snooze-inducers Josh Pyke and the dude from Eskimo Joe in Basement Birds, I won't hold my breath.

Leaving Home - 3:01

Benedict - 4:03

Harpoon - 4:28

Jerks Of Attention - 4:47

Invaders - 3:40

Spoil The Show - 4:04

Blame - 1:56

Puck Defender - 4:58

Lino - 4:06

Military Strongmen - 3:28

Teflon - 3:47

Twilight=Dusk - 4:45

La Di Da Da - 7:48

Deaf Wish - Deaf Wish

2010-05-30T13:39:00.008+10:00

As of last night, Deaf Wish are no more. Though there will be "a thousand reunion shows", I can't see any more studio releases, which is a real shame. Whats more of a shame is that I wasn't able to attend the show and only got to see them twice.
But I can't complain too much because they were awesome both times. Dirty hard rock and roll. Loud, fast, fun.
This is their first album. Kinda sketchy but it works oh so well.
Be awesome and buy their second album Reality & Visions.

MYSPACE

Green Flame - 2:10
Take What You Want - 1:32
Mum Gets Punched In The Face - 1:53
Zen Arch-Ade - 1:16
Make It Hurt - 1:49
I Traded You - 3:35
Mai Tai - 1:30
Nerve Damage - 2:38
Freeze The Sound - 4:37
White Heat/Bikini - 2:19

DOWNLOAD

Something With Numbers - The Barnicles & Stripes E.P.

2010-04-10T15:08:00.004+10:00

I think I'm just getting lazy now. Or running out of music to post. Or a little of both.
One of the very first bands I saw at a real life (pop) punk show. My friends and I all loved the shit out of them.
I remember being at the show in which was to be the finally airing of the title track. Apparently is was too poppy and they were moving in a different direction. This was the time, it should be noted, when 'screamo' was at it peak and it was cool to do the whole dual clean/growling vocals thing. The irony of it all is that they are now just a pop band. Not saying that as a bad thing but, despite it's cheesiness, B&S wouldn't be too out of place on a current day release.

Denenenenenena - 3:33
We Can Succed - 3:12
What I Believe - 3:25
Barnicles And Stripes - 3:59
Wednesday - 3:43
Perfect Match - 3:25

Architecture In Helsinki - In Case We Die

2010-02-24T12:26:00.007+11:00

I'm fairly certain AiH started to suck when Isobel and Tara left in 2006. I saw them for the first time at Homebake in 2005, when they spent half the set shitting themselves about playing just before some band called The Go-Betweens (the lucky stiffs even got to play a song with them in their final show before Grant died). It was good fun and it put a smile on my dial. I saw them once or twice after that before they went overseas.

The next time I saw them they had a new album and and the octet was down by two. I saw them again and it was kinda ehhh and the once shy twee good time happy band turned into a bunch of too cool for school tossers. And from there it's only got worse. I mean, That Beep? Horrible.

Some might even say this release is a bit of a step down from their debut Fingers Crossed but I think this was their peak, one which I can't see them ever going close to reaching ever again.

Neverevereverdid - 4:49

It'5 - 2:07

Tiny Paintings - 3:03

Wishbone - 2:26

Maybe You Can Owe Me - 4:03

Do The Whirlwind - 4:39

In Case We Die (Parts 1-4) - 3:33

The Cemetery - 2:02

Frenchy, I'm Faking - 2:52

Need To Shout - 4:10

Rendezvous Potrero Hill - 1:52

What's In Store? - 4:29

Best Australian Releases Of 2009

2010-02-03T18:56:00.015+11:00

10. Decoder Ring - They Blind The Stars, And The Wild Team - Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom
Electronic/post rock/whatever band returned after quite the hiatus to produce the best album of their career. Though the second disc was a tad superfluous, the first was pure genius.

9. Useless Children - The Sky Is Falling - Out On Life
Melbourne trio followed up their self titled EP from 2008 with a stellar debut album that sacrificed a little thrash but gained a whole lot more melody. Definitely the best album artwork of the year (3D way before Avavtar).

8. Dick Diver - Arks Up - Walk For Room
7"/CD from filled with some great catchy songs in the vein of Go-Betweens. Having been privy to their other work through live recordings, I was a little disappointed that their stunning track On The Bank was left out, with the only rationale I can come up with being it is being save for an LP.

7. Songs - Songs - Out With A Curse
After I started growing a little tired of them, Sydney gig whores Songs came out with their self titled debut LP and made me love them again. A good mix of the short and sharp and the long and spaced out, it definitely exceeded expectations.

6. St Helens - Heavy Profession - Coffin Scratch
Jarrod Quarrell, mastermind behind Melbourne group, has crafted some of the most captivating and genuine songs I've heard for a long long time. Not expecting a whole lot despite the good press I'd heard of the record, I was blown away instantly.

5. UV Race - UV Race - Gore Orphanage
Quite simply one of the funnest albums I know of. While some might dismiss it as stupid, those people are idiots. Catchy as all hell, short and sweet and a whole bunch of radness live, UV Race rule.

4. The Dacios - Monkeys Blood - Monkeys Blood
Glad I held off making my list till the new year. With a mid-year release I only got it in December and I'm sincerely grateful it made my way to my collection. One of the best pure rock and roll records I've heard since The Drones Gala Mill.

3. The Twerps - The Twerps - Someone's Changed
Identical label and release format and similar sound to #8, The Twerps had me won over after their first visit to Sydney in November. This EP shows promise of talent that will no doubt produce a timeless album in the near future.

2. The Stabs - Dead Wood - No Hoper
I'm still currently debating myself on whether this, their second album, is better than 2005's Dirt. It's rather fruitless and mostly pointless. Both rule. This record shows a lot more experimentation, with all three members having a go at singing and the mess of ideas somehow coming together perfectly.

1. When Chimps Attack - When Chimps Attack - Bison
I shat my pants when I finally got to see this band live back in October. I have no doubt they will be a cult band in a few years time, if they aren't already, and I'll be able to gloat incessantly about witnessing their sublime live show. Released on Christmas day, another release I'm glad I held off when compiling my list cos it's the best of the year.

DOWNLOAD

Purplene - Purplene

2010-01-30T16:24:00.007+11:00

I worked backwards from Charge Group and The Instant to discover the greatness that is Purplene. Some similar aspects to Charge Group, but that goes with the territory of having a voice as distinctive as Mr Blackman's.
I feel like I've said this a thousand times put their name is very familiar from browsing through Drum Media a dozen or so years ago but I wasn't cool enough back then to go watch them, obviously.
Their ridiculously hard to find debut LP has recently surfaced. Check it out here.

LAST FM

Love: Western - 6:00
Swords Down - 4:05
Lyonhardt - 5:50
The Battler - 3:13
Second Shift - 6:28
Scares For Sores - 3:29
Cahoots = 1 - 7:12
Watch The Watch - 5:17

DOWNLOAD

Grey Daturas - Return To Disruption

2010-01-14T18:55:00.007+11:00

About this time tomorrow, Grey Daturas will be getting ready to play their final show. After 9 years together as a band, it's a fitting farewell to a band so severely underrated throughout their career.
It was only in the last couple of years that my mild interest in the group spawned into unadulterated love, love that was multiplied several times when I saw the group live, where they were truly in their element.
Despite multiple chances to see witness said live spectacle, I only caught them twice. The first show was amazing. The second was, too. But it would have been more so, especially with the massive PA suiting their sound so well, but I was an idiot and stood outside for most of their set.
With the noise/sludge scene not being as large here as it is in many countries overseas, it's great to see messages of thanks and the like on their pages from people all over the globe for a band that was and, for 24 more hours, still world class.

MYSPACE

Force Is A Weapon Of The Weak - 0:41
She Was The Cutie Of Camp Cooke - 5:56
Golden Gate Blues - 4:26
Your Kingdom Falls - 1:40
A Japanese Romance - 7:59
Answer February - 5:22
Who's Gonna Fill Them Shoes? - 1:08
For Huey P. Newton And Bobby Seale - 8:20
Night Of The Barricade: Paris 1969 - 3:10
Repeat Until False - 10:54
Running Amok With Knives - 1:13
My Sciatica - 4:05
Overdue Resignation - 1:04
Fault Of Domestication - 7:47
The Hanging Man Is No Peacock - 4:15

DOWNLOAD

Staying At Home - Reaction Heroes

2009-12-21T14:18:00.006+11:00

Starting out in Sydney in the earlier part of this decade, Staying At Home consisted of Karen Tran, Nick Van Breda and the ever prolific Adam Lees. Unfortunately I only got to catch them live a couple of times but I vividly remember some really powerful performances.
A Braid rip-off would probably be seen as a compliment by them but their was, and still is, a lot more to their music than that. When hardcore was gaining strength in the Sydney scene, it was refreshing to see something just a little more unique than clean/growl/clean vocals and shitty metal riffs.
Since their split in 2005, Animal Shapes, Lungs, Lightweights, Oh Messy Life and The Riot And The Trauma have all spawned from the revered Sydney group.
Mention should be made of how hard it was to track down their stuff. Even with hazy connections to the band (trust me, in no way am I bragging), I could only locate their debut EP and split with Seconds Away. I'll keep hunting.

MYSPACE

Air, Water, And, The Grave - 2:49
Living Silver - 2:54
The New Chapters - 3:15
Oh Five Hundred - 3:11
Pinpoint Pupil - 2:51
Chiswell Green - 3:10
Pacific Streetsweeper - 2:06
Dendrite - 3:27
Stained Glass Swing - 3:19
Axis And Atlas - 3:10
Stopwatch - 2:44
A Monologue In Two - 4:21

DOWNLOAD

After The Fall - As Far As Thoughts Can Reach

2009-12-05T19:13:00.002+11:00

One of the first bands I saw a bunch when I started going to shows at around 16 years old. My mate had the CD, I borrowed it and thrashed the hell out of it.
Since that time, they've gotten pretty big, then done nothing for a few years and just recently come back onto the scene. Their latest stuff isn't really my thing but I was suprised how strong this still sounds 5 or so years later.

MYSPACE

Winter Stares - 3:00
Six Week Interval - 3:31
Siren Sounds - 4:03
Three Quarter Binding - 2:54
Half Empty, Half Full - 3:12
In Waiting - 4:24

DOWNLOAD

The Go-Betweens - 16 Lovers Lane

2009-11-02T17:53:00.006+11:00

As often as I can, and where appropriate, I try to post lesser known albums by bands rather than their most popular stuff. But I shall have to give in this time and post the Brisbane groups landmark 1988 album.
The Go-Betweens, for those not in the know, are regarded as one of Australias greatest rock/pop groups. Finding an Australian band who doesn't cite them as an influence can be hard to find.
The songwriting pair of McLennan and Forster is sometimes referred to as Australia's Lennon/McCartney. Though it seems often used with just a pinch of sodium chloride, it's not too far off the mark, with several albums of brilliant work to back that up.
It's hard to say if the death of frontman Grant McLennan has unreasonably raised their legendary status, especially because I only got into them after he passed (despite seeing them at Homebake 2005, watching a few songs and having no idea who they were), but any accolades or praise that come their way can surely be justified.
As stated before, it's totally cliche to choose this album and even more so to gush about Streets Of Your Town but it really is an amazing song, quite possibly the best to ever come from the Queensland capital.
So great is this album in fact, it was chosen to be part of the SBS series Great Australian Albums.
P.S. Lindy Morrison was a head teacher when I was at TAFE. Cool.

MYSPACE

Love Goes On! - 3.18
Quiet Heart - 5.20
Love Is A Sign - 4.13
You Can't Say No Forever - 3.57
Devil's Eye - 2.05
Streets Of Your Town - 3.36
Clouds - 4.03
Was There Anything I Could Do? - 3.37
I'm All Right - 3.11
Dive For Your Memory - 4.15

DOWNLOAD

Dappled Cities Fly - A Smile

2009-10-06T19:15:00.005+11:00

I used to be way into this band. Like a lot. I'm pretty sure I saw them about 7 or 8 times in about 11 weeks or something silly like that. It was around the time of the release of their second album Granddance. And even though that was the newer record and I was getting to know it by flogging the hell out of it, their debut still got plenty of my attention.
Since those days of about 3 years ago, the band has completely and officially dropped the 'Fly' (making tagging their songs on iTunes and LastFM a real bitch) and released a new album, entitled Zounds. I barely even noticed, only stealing it electronically whilst bored a few weeks ago. A couple of listens in, it's actually not too bad. But I don't know if it's just me that's over them or they've changed or a little of both, but it just hasn't grabbed me like the first few chords of Peach did.
And I still maintain that Die In Your Eyes is one of the best Australian songs of the last 10 years.

MYSPACE

Peach - 3:35
Blame It On The Boys - 3:13
League Of German Girls - 3:13
Corpus Kinaesthesia - 2:37
Make You Happy - 2:15
As I Lay Dying - 4:48
My Head's Queen Ant - 3:39
Cream - 2:56
Die In Your Eyes - 3:58
Faces - 3:13
States - 3:42

DOWNLOAD

Crowded House - Temple Of Low Men

2009-09-22T23:53:00.006+10:00

Although technically an Australian band, frontman Neil Finn is a Kiwi so I guess they count (as with anything that has even the slightest tie with Australia and is half decent, we like to claim them as our own).
One of my earliest memories is hearing my parents play the poop out of this CD when I was young. Sister Madly always stood out the most to me, I loved the cool jazzy vibe and was psyched to hear it used in the Australian film The Sum Of Us. Also here is one of their anthemic ballads Better Be Home Soon, which Neil performed live at the 2005 ARIA awards in memory of the dearly departed Paul Hester.
Later delving into their back catalogue, I have to admit I don't find it as good as Woodface or the self titled debut but all the memories associated with the release make me want to share it with the world.

MYSPACE

I Feel Possessed - 3:47
Kill Eye - 3:10
Into Temptation - 4:32
Mansion In The Slums - 3:46
When You Come - 4:45
Never Be The Same - 4:27
Love This Life - 3:35
Sister Madly - 2:52
In The Lowlands - 3:57
Better Be Home Soon - 3:07

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Die! Die! Die! - Die! Die! Die!

2009-09-17T01:14:00.006+10:00

Another Kiwi release in the form of 3 piece Die! Die! Die! from Auckland.
Touring relentlessly for years on end, I've managed to catch several of their amazing live shows the last few times they've come by Sydney. They never disappoint.
Their debut EP was the first I heard of their recorded work. I really dug it but then didn't pay much attention to them after that, it just didn't seem to have a whole lot of replay value. Their first album was released not long after and I had no real desire to check it out. It was only after 2008's Promises Promises came my way that I really got back into the band. Easily their strongest release yet, I highly suggest you fork out the money for one of the hardest working bands today.
This is a good place to see where it all started out.

MYSPACE

Ashtray! Ashtray! - 2:46
Made Up In Red - 1:07
Auckland Is Burning - 2:37
Shyness Will Get You Nowhere - 2:02
Rat - 1:22
Brat - 4:01

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The Bats - Fear Of God

2009-09-07T17:50:00.005+10:00

Ignorant of The Bats up until a few short months ago, I heard nothing but good things about them when a short tour of Australia was announced for August. Reading up on their history, they were part of a scene (some might even call it a movement) known as the Dunedin Sound, always tied in with legendary label Flying Nun Records.
Sharing a common member with Flying Nuns OG's The Clean in Robert Scott, I was even more intrigued despite my neutral feeling towards The Clean. As so often is the case, Fear Of God was the first of their albums that I heard and became my favourite. With Robs Morrisey-like vocals floating over the the rhythm section of Malcolm Grant and Paul Keen, it's not hard to get carried away with their dark pop songs.
Also, props must be given to any band that can continue with an unchanged lineup for 27 years.

MYSPACE

Boogey Man - 3:15
The Black And The Blue - 3:15
Dancing As The Boat Goes Down - 3:17
The Old Ones - 3:33
Hold All The Butter - 2:53
Fear Of God - 3:09
It's A Lie - 2:56
Straight Image - 2:43
Watch The Walls - 4:30
You Know We Shouldn't - 2:21
Jetsam - 4:43
The Looming Past - 4:10

MEDIAFIRE

Street Chant - Sydney Tour CD

2009-09-01T17:47:00.005+10:00

After a short focus on electronic a little bit ago, I thought I'd now put some attention on all things Kiwi. Whether it be good or not, New Zealand gets lumped with Australia (and vice versa) in just about everything, and that includes music. Since I've already posted another New Zealand, there's no harm putting up a few more.

Street Chant (formerly known as Mean Street) are from Auckland, on the north island of New Zealand. I had never heard of the group when I attended an in-store a little while ago at Repressed Records. They were pretty damn great, reminding me a lot of Melbourne's The Diamond Sea.
As the CD says "5 songs in 17 minutes. Rec on 4-trak in 1 take."
Good stuff.

MYSPACE

Scream Walk - 2:32
Less Chat, More Sewing - 3:35
Your Philosophy - 2:12
You Do The Math - 4:49
14x08 - 3:40

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The Lucksmiths - Why Doesn't That Surprise Me?

2009-08-22T17:54:00.008+10:00

In one weeks time, The Lucksmiths will cease to exist. Having witnessed their final Sydney show just last night, it's hard to express how much of a downer this is.
In what is an all too familiar scenario, it was only the impending demise of the band that inspired exposure to their work. Although familiar with radio favourite T-Shirt Weather, though ignorant that it was actually them, I was largely unaware of their work. In a recent interview the singer, Tali White, confessed that he agreed with people who thought all their songs sounded the same. But for a band such as this, having survived for more than 16 years, the statement can only be seen as a compliment. If it's 1 song done over and over, but it's a good song, I'm fine with that.
Hyperbole aside, Why Doesn't That Surprise Me? is a great representation of their folky pop songs, full of some of the quirkiest and well-written lyrics to come from any Australian band.

MYSPACE

Music To Hold Hands To - 3:47
Synchronised Sinking - 3:56
The Great Dividing Range - 3:17
Beach Boys Medley - 1:16
Broken Bones - 3:37
First Cousin - 4:04
Don't Bring Your Work To Bed - 2:44
Fear Of Rollercoasters - 3:34
Harmonicas And Trams - 4:45
The Forgetting Of Wisdom - 2:01
Self-Preservation - 2:03
How To Tie A Tie - 3:24
All The Recipes I've Ever Ruined - 5:46
The Year Of Living Languorously - 4:01

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Qua - Silver Red EP

2009-08-11T21:08:00.010+10:00

Qua is Melbourne artist Cornel Wilczek. This is the first Qua release I listened to. I enjoyed it but didn't love it and never really gave it more than a couple of listens. When he released the second of his records in the later half of 2008 (this being the first), I was interested to check out if it was much the same. I was pleasantly surprised to find it much groovier and danceable as opposed to the ambient blips and beeps of Silver Red, though the former seems to be favoured when performing live. It showed his talent and diversity as an artist and songwriter and which gave me reason to go back to this and truly appreciate it's goodness.

MYSPACE

Silver Red 1 - 6:46
Silver Red 2 - 5:08
Silver Red 3 - 11:49
One Second - 3:45

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Triosk - The Headlight Serenade

2009-07-21T22:37:00.007+10:00

Another release of more electronic based music.
I've purposely put this album up straight after Pivot because Laurence Pike was a part of both groups while his brother Richard, also of Pivot, produced this and their previous album, Moment Returns. A great deal different to the aforementioned band, Triosk had a unique sound that did well to allude to a certain jazz style while sounding completely different from it thanks to the mostly ambient nature of their songs. Rapid keyboard lines such as those of Visions IV and Intensives Leben are well contrasted with the laid back though precise drumming patterns, all the while held together with airy drones that make some songs sound as if they should be on one of those Ministry Of Sound Chillaxin' CDs. Or something.
Another band that was on the Sydney scene that I failed to check out and only realised their greatness once they had disbanded.
P.S. I always like to upload the album myself but for some reason, this album was being a turd.

MYSPACE

Visions IV - 4:02
Lost Broadcast - 5:21
Lost Reprise - 0:57
Intensives Leben - 6:19
Lazyboat - 10:50
Not To Hurt You - 4:31
Headlights - 5:04
One, Twenty-Four - 3:13
Vostok - 5:15
Moment Returns - 7:17
Fear Survivor - 3:23

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Pivot - Make Me Love You

2009-07-13T21:58:00.006+10:00

Browsing through this blog, you may or may not notice that there isn't a whole lot of variety to the music I make available. Yes, I am fond of guitar/rock music but I thought I'd make an effort to expand the scope of music I upload. I dig heaps of other stuff so Z&P should reflect that. Sydney band Pivot's debut album, Make Me Love You, will be the first of a few of electronic music releases I'll have up in the coming days and weeks.
Pivot is one of those bands that have been around for ages but one I never got around to checking out for a long time. I could always remember their name in the local street press and on fliers around 2005 but never thought much of it. A few years later and it was only their support slot at a Sigur Ros show that I got to experience them live. Arriving late, the last 2 or 3 songs was all I needed to know that this was a band I would love.
Changing from a 5 piece to a 2 piece and now to 3, it is made up of the brothers Pike and Dave Miller. Their move to London might have a little something to do with being the very first Australian signing to Warp Records (and playing every festival ever).
More ambient and dreamy than 2008's O Soundtrack My Heart dancy and frantic rhythms, this is definitely my favourite of the two. Despite the fact there's a song called Kirsten Dunst. Hate that bitch.

MYSPACE

Make Me Love You - 3:33
Artificial Horizon - 4:13
Incidental Backcloth - 7:08
Montecore - 4:46
La Mer - 5:31
Pivot Voltron - 7:58
I May Be Gone For Some Time - 3:46
Kirsten Dunst - 7:17
Helps Not But Hurts None - 6:15

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Damn Arms - Patterns

2009-07-07T16:50:00.004+10:00

With the recent announcement of Damn Arms breaking up, I thought I may as well throw up their EP from a few years ago, Patterns.
I was never really into the whole dance rock thing that seemed to be everyones cup of tea a few years ago. Sure, it was a little bit exciting the first time you heard it but there never seemed to be much variation. Heard one, heard them all. And I guess this release doesn't differ a whole lot from that. But it's still a solid release and, with a recent once over, it still has a decent amount of re-listenability, which is saying something, I guess.
I dunno, just give it a listen.

MYSPACE

Test Pattern - 3:43
I Think, Therefore I Swam - 3:28
Please Pass Me My Anti-Robotics - 2:05
I Second That Emotion - 4:49
Quit Hushing My Buzz - 3:07
The Cormorant - 6:19

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My Disco - Language Of Numbers

2009-07-01T22:11:00.004+10:00

My Disco are a post-punk band from Melbourne. As I've said before, I hate genres but I guess that one seems to suite them the best.
They have changed a great deal from their early releases, becoming much tighter and more concise with their songwriting. Their live shows are renowned for their grating volume and mesmerising repetition.
This 2004 EP is another link in the chain of progression for the band, notably the last release before their 2006 debut album, Cancer, in which they slightly forgo the discordant attacks of sound and instead focus more on presenting layer upon layer of repeptitive grooves.
NB Not the cover, couldn't find one big enough.

MYSPACE

In The Benelux - 3:32
See Life - 2:43
Installation Of Camaraderie - 3:03
In Figures Of Speech - 2:50
A Moment Of Revelation - 6:15

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Aleks And The Ramps - "Attack Mode": Canada Tour E.P. 2008

2009-06-06T14:07:00.009+10:00

With their new album almost out, now seems like as good a time as ever to put something up by Melbourne psych/pop/dance/kitten shirt wearing band Aleks And The Ramps.
Starting off as a solo project for frontman Aleks, the band soon took form after the release of his debut EP for the sake of playing live. Kicking it around for about 4 years now, they're one of the more intriguing band in the Australian scene at the moment.
This EP contains unreleased stuff as well as a couple of songs that ended up making it on the new album, Midnight Believer.
One of the funnest live shows I've ever experienced, complete with choreographed dance moves and matching outfits, I finally get to see them again on the 20th of this month.
Not much more else to say, really, except...
"This song is about that uncomfortable feeling when one of your work mates casually mentions they engaged in child prostitution on their holiday in Thailand"

MYSPACE

Hey Owl - 4:52
Paw Prints - 4:11
Mind Mountain - 5:44
Amputee Pilots - 5:41
Brain - 3:10

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Meet Me In The Pocket...

2009-05-24T14:50:00.001+10:00

...is the new blog I've just started so I can have Australian based here and everything else there. Check it out.

Ned Collette - Test Patterns

2009-04-05T22:06:00.007+10:00

Ned Collette is a singer/songwriter from Melbourne.
I'd heard his name around for a few years, mainly associated with his former band, City City City, who broke up in 2006. I've heard only a handful of their songs but seemed to have a cult following when they existed.
I acquired Ned's full lengths, Future Suture and Jokes And Trials, a fair while ago and didn't give them much of a chance until I discovered he would be supporting Augie March on their recent On The Quiet tour. I gave them my full attention for the next few weeks and became an instant fan. His live performance easily matched his impressive recorded work, despite working an unknown crowd using only his voice and a guitar.
This EP, which I purchased at the show, is fair reflection of his previously mentioned work. The title track, though, proves that his music is not a straight up and down guy and a guitar thing. The ten minute song is filled with dreary feedback for the majority until his hollow voice kicks in, making it an odd but strong choice for just a 4 track release.

MYSPACE

Turning Turning - 4:03
Over Again - 4:53
Test Patterns - 10:01
Slouch - 3:16

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Dirty Three - Horse Stories

2009-03-10T22:34:00.008+11:00

An absolute favourite of mine.
Dirty Three are a quintessential Australian band (again, from Melbourne) that are made up of Jim White on drums, Mick Turner on guitar and the disputed "frontman" of the group, Warren Ellis on violin. They play a brand of rock that feels oh so uniquely Australian.
Though the majority of their career they have been without the services of a vocalist (they only took the plunge for the first time on their latest album, 2005's Cinder, albeit, only for 2 songs), I would hesitate to mention the dirtiest of dirty terms: p__t r__k. They are in a genre solely their own. Their beautifully crafted ballads and love songs are well augmented with languishing, painful sounds of Ellis' constantly sliding violin melodies.
One time I was driving along a dark stretch of highway with my girlfriend on a hot Summer night when "Red" came up on shuffle on my iPod. Taking each curve with every change in the tempo and intensity of the song was a hazard in itself but too much fun and way to exciting to pass up. Things went somewhere else when I thought I spotted something up ahead. The closer I got, the closer the final explosion of Warren's strings came to fruition until I finally realised there was someone standing drunk in the middle of a road, half naked, near enough to midnight, looking for a way to tempt fate in the most dangerous way. I luckily just missed the stupid bastard and the song then became my favourite from one of the most under-rated Australian bands that I can recall.

MYSPACE

1000 Miles - 4:41
Sue's Last Ride - 7:23
Hope - 4:53
I Remember A Time Once When You Used To Loved Me - 6:12
At The Bar - 6:39
Red - 3:54
Warren's Lament - 8:44
Horse - 5:39
I Knew It Would Come To This - 8:38

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Midnight Oil - 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1

2009-02-26T20:37:00.005+11:00

If you don't know, Midnight Oil are one of those seminal Australian bands. Beginning in the early 70's, they went from being a sweaty pub band to the music scene's leader in political activism and churning out some of the greatest protest songs Australia has ever produced. This 1982 album is a certified Australian classic and contains some of their most well-known songs; Short Memory, US Forces and my personal favourite, Power & The Passion.
Disbanding in late 2002, the band reformed for a supposed one-off performance in aid of the 2004 Tsunami disaster. I was lucky enough to witness it. And now with the recent Victorian bushfires, they are back at it again, playing in March alongside Hunters & Collectors, Split Enz and .... Kings Of Leon.
Lead singer and iconic figure Peter Garrett joined the the Australian Labor Party not long after their split and is now the Environment & Arts Minister at a national level. Pretty damn cool.

MYSPACE

Outside World - 4:21
Only The Strong - 4:36
Short Memory - 3:53
Read About It - 3:53
Scream In Blue - 6:21
US Forces - 4:06
Power & The Passion - 5:39
Maralinga - 4:44
Tin-Legs & Tin Mines - 4:21
Somebody's Trying To Tell Me Something - 4:04

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Ohana - Weak Wrists

2009-02-16T21:29:00.007+11:00

"As of December 2008 Ohana will be on hiatus until a time when all the members decide to live in the same city again."
This makes me sad every time I think about it. They say all good things must come to an end but the demise of a band before it's time is truly tragic. So let's hope the above statement rings true and the four members of Wollongong based band Ohana regroup sooner, rather than later, and continue making and playing music.
Weak Wrists is the bands debut full length album, released on Soviet Records in 2006. A harsh, abrasive sound is mixed in with swirling melodies and a blur of different musical ideas that somehow seem coherent all within a 3 minute song. From manic opener Foucault You Diabolical Genius to the key-driven Les Enfants De Marx Et De Coca-Cola (with the this blogs namesake slotted in the middle as a meandering yet focused intermission), the album is less focused than sophomore release Dead Beat but in no way less amazing.

MYSPACE

Foucault You Diabolical Genius - 4:02
Vanquish Every Argument With Efficiency And Dispatch - 4:04
A Look Of Outward Regard - 3:55
Making A Deposit At The Insecurities Fund - 3:08
Rapine - 3:09
Zero & Position - 8:23
In The Wild - 3:06
The Auteur Takes All - 4:17
Les Enfants De Marx Et De Coca-Cola - 2:28
Weak Wrists - 2:56
Express Yourself Through Yawning - 4:16

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Top 10 Shows Of 2008

2009-02-10T14:23:00.007+11:00

1. Sufjan Stevens/My Brightest Diamond

Playing three consecutive nights at the State Theatre in Sydney, the best venue I have ever had the privilege of witnessing a concert in, I attended the first and last nights but combined them for the sake of making room for this list.

Associating special occasions with shows always makes me remember them more fondly, possibly even more than warranted in the first place. But seeing Sufjan Stevens for the first time, two days after my 21^st birthday and with my girlfriend was spectacular. Such a wonderful performer whose humility was almost too endearing, he really knew how to put on a show. A 9 piece band plus a special hula-hoop performance, it would be unfair not to name every song as a highlight. But hearing the opening notes to Casmir Pulaski Day was…I’ve run out of superlatives. It was pretty special.

2. Minus The Bear/The Nation Blue/These Hands Could Separate The Sky

Similarly to my number one choice for gig of the year, I saw Minus The Bear twice in two days in different cities. Thinking I’d miss my best mates 21^st birthday, I was more than willing to see them for the first time on a long awaited tour. Luckily for me, I was able to catch them in my hometown as well.

I usually attend gigs solo or with just one friend. The fact that there were at least 10 of my good mates attending this show made it so much fun. They could have played like shit and I still would have loved it. Luckily they were fantastic and the only fault I could find was not playing for long enough.

Everything was building towards them playing mine (and I think just about everyone else’s) favourite song, Absinthe Party At The Fly Honey Warehouse. First song of the encore and I think I just about cried. Dave Knudson is the man and I eagerly await the announcement of a sideshow as part of the Soundwave 2009* touring festival.

Video proof of awesomeness. http://moshcam.com/#?page=player&type=gig&id=80

3. Off Minor/Eucalypt/The Diamond Sea

Despite coming in at #3 for 2008, this is one of those gigs that I’ll remember as an absolute classic. Hundreds of people packed into a backstreet gallery, long necks, cheap merch and 3 amazing bands.

The first time I’d witnessed The Diamond Sea and I was hooked instantly. Such (seemingly) simple songs normally wouldn’t do much for me but the combination of these 3 girls and 1 guy must have aligned the planets or something because the songs seemed faultless. I would have watched the whole set had it not been for the intolerable heat.

Next up was Eucalypt, their last show ever. Not being terribly familiar with their material at the time, I was still able to comprehend how good the songs were and what they meant to a lot of people in the room. Their last tune was played, tears were shed and Australia said goodbye to an amazing group.

If you’re at all familiar with Off Minor, you know how good they are. No subjectivity, they are an amazing band. With strong rumours that this, their third tour of our fair land, would be their last, it made it all the more memorable. Going through all the gold (Cadaveric and The Heat Death Of The Universe) as well as the unreleased at the time Some Blood (Neologist and Everything Explicit) the gig was to be cut short with noise complaints from neighbours and the po-po in the immediate area. Luckily there was time for one more (isn’t there always?). Thanks to drunken shouts from yours truly, Staring Down The Barrel Of Limited Options was to be the final track of an amazing set. Screaming “never said everything will be okay” along with Steve Roche was dreamy.

4. Broken Social Scene/Belles Will Ring

I got into BSS just after they toured in 2006. Not long after this discovery, I was pretty pissed to hear that their sideshow touring with St Jeromes Laneway Festival* went for close to 3 hours and finished at 1.30 in the morning – epic. So I was chuffed when another tour was announced just two years later. To say my high expectations were surpassed would be an understatement. Being the only club show of the tour in which Ms Leslie Feist would be making an appearance made it just that more special. After all, it’s almost fact that 7/4 Shoreline and Almost Crimes are two of Broken Social Scene’s best songs. With the addition of Stars And Sons, technical difficulties at the start of the set soon faded into insignificance as they played the hell out of their regular catalogue as well as both BSS presents projects. As always, It’s All Gonna Break made for an epic finale.

5. Sigur Ros/Pivot

Upon my first hearing of lead single Gobbledigook off the idiosyncratic Icelanders latest album, I was overwhelmed with joy that they’d finally moved ahead from their standard post-rock-ish tunes (not that I didn’t love the last three releases). Especially with rumours rife that they were going to break up or go on “indefinite hiatus”.

Support came in the form of recent Warp additions, Sydney/Perth/London band Pivot. Being a staple of the local scene for so long, I was embarrassed to say this was my first time catching them live. Battles via Four Tet is quite the combo and it was fairly accurate in describing their fantastic live show.

This being the second time seeing the Icelandic quartet, that same “OMG” feeling wasn’t there that you usually get when seeing a favourite band for the first time. Soon after, that mattered little when the band put on a show that worked as a great introduction to new fans. A great mix of their last four albums meant old fans would also get their fix. Though not convinced it was better than their last tour which included the strings of Amiina, it was nice to hear Sigur Ros with a horn section that complimented a number of their songs stupendously, particularly some of the new songs.

The encore of Gobbledigook will go down as one of my favourite live music moments ever. 5000 people clapping in unison, streams and showers of confetti and one of the most joyous songs from the unlikeliest of places added up to a perfect finale of mind-blowing show.

6. Future Of The Left/Talons/Dead Farmers

Rising from the ashes of Welsh cult band McLusky, Future Of The Left follows a similar path of smart-arse song titles and good old fashioned rock and roll. Catching the last show of their visit to Australia in March (as part of the second annual Gold Plains Festival), the Welsh trio gave it their all before they were to head home. Blasting through most of Curses, one of my favourite records of 2007, every song was a corker. From fan favourite Small Bones, Small Bodies to the unexpected and personal favourite of mine Suddenly It’s A Folk Song, you could be forgiven for thinking that they didn’t have to do anything out of the ordinary with such a strong set of jams. Luckily, they moved through their short catalogue with enthusiasm and peppered the set with their well known charm and wit.

Ending with McLusky favourite Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues, it was a little too much for some at the front to bare, going just a tad overboard with their interaction with the band. But it was understandable. We had just heard an old favourite by a new one.

7. Against Me!/ Crime In Stereo/Coue Method

Every Against Me! gig is a good gig. It’s pretty hard to fault them, even with the not-as-great-as-their-old-stuff-but-still-alright album New Wave. As with Minus The Bear, I was lucky enough to catch them in both Sydney and Melbourne. Though Melbourne got Those Anarcho Punx Are Mysterious, the Sydney show was definitely my favourite. A heaving crowd at the front, which included myself, were going nuts, with so much anticipation building to their entrance on stage. So much so that a group of at least 100 of us near the barrier started screaming along to our favourite AM! songs from the bottom of our severely drunken lungs. I heard about a radio interview afterwards in which Tom Gabel said he’d never heard anything like it before. I’m still not sure if he meant that in a nice way.

There’s not much point writing anymore. If you’ve seen them live, you know why they’re here.

8. Explosions In The Sky/Eluvium/Ohana

I, like many others, got their first to exposure to post-rock through Explosions In The Sky, more specifically The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place. It’s hard to argue against it being one of the most influential records of the genre.

Their maiden voyage to Australia, along with regular supporters Eluvium in tow, was met with much excitement. This excitement grew exponentially, at least for me, when local support for the Sydney show was Ohana. I’m a big fan off cross genre supports at gigs, more so when it’s my favourite Australian band who gets the nod.

Opening up proceedings, Ohana didn’t get quite the response I was hoping but I guess it comes with the territory of being a support band.

Eluvium provided some nice ambient noise but I couldn’t really get into them on record so it was nice live rather than anything pant-wettingly good.

Walking on stage to a rapturous applause, EITS were in fine form from start to finish. Playing a nice selection of songs from most records (nothing off The Rescue and maybe only 1 song off How Strange? Not 100% sure), they had the crowd swooning with every beat, pluck and strum. Though omitting fan favourite Your Hand In Mine from the setlist was a slight disappointment, still an amazing show from the Texan quartet.

Special mention and thanks goes to Munaf Rayani for his amazing moves and grooves on stage.

9. The National/Clogs

I’d pretty much bought a ticket to this show at the beautiful City Recital Hall on a whim. I’d heard Fake Empire twice and since I was already spending about $150 on tickets in the one transaction, what was another $45? I was almost about to sell the ticket but I decided I might as well actually give them a proper listen. The next day I took the ticket off eBay and counted down the days.

Walking into the well hidden venue in Angel Place in the centre of Sydney on my lonesome, I waited awkwardly in the foyer until the unknown Clogs were to begin their set. Having no idea what to expect, I was greeted by some stunning classical/post-rock/who knows tunes from Padma Newsome and his band. The man is truly a genius and of course he hails from my fair land. It’s strange that a man so integral to the headliner of the night isn’t even an official member.

Still being fairly vague with the majority of the bands material, it’s a testament to their well-crafted songs and delivery that these unknown gems stuck with me long after the show had finished. Such an energetic show fell slightly flat with the entire audience seated but such a minor flaw is just nit-picking with such a fantastic performance put on display. Frontman Matt Berninger commented that the crowd were the most prefect, synced up clappers he had ever come across. I hope it didn’t comes across that we weren’t into the performance, more that we were in awe of such mesmerizing show. The standard finale of Mr November had a highly intoxicated Berninger stumbling all over the front rows while “I won’t fuck us over” rang out through the cavernous surrounds. Beautiful.

10. Rage Against The Machine/Anti-Flag

When I heard Rage had reformed for Coachella 2007, I pretty much died. Then I died again when I realized there was no way in hell that I could get over there. So the announcement of their headline status at Big Day Out 2008, it seemed that I would get to witness one of my all time favourite acts. This wasn’t the case. I saw them four times in 8 days instead. Scoring some floor tickets on the sly, all was set to see my first ever “favourite band”.

To be fair, they could have played like shit and I still would have loved it. Yes, it was disappointing that Zack can’t/doesn’t rap anymore but he still puts on a strong passionate performance that makes it seem like they never even broke up. Freedom, Wake Up, Killing In The Name, Testify, Bulls On Parade; they all got a work out and I could die happy.

HM's: Modest Mouse, Stars, Public Enemy, Sonic Youth and Arcade Fire.

Special mention must go to a number of local gigs throughout the year. Aleks And The Ramps supported by Charge Group at Spectrum was probably the best Tuesday night show I've ever been to. Pivot, My Disco and Qua at the Gaelic Club in November was another standout. Baseball and Charge Group supporting Snowman at The Annandale was fantastic, despite the headliner still not clicking with me. Eddy Current blowing me a away every time I saw them, especially their sold out show at The Hopetoun in June. Because Of Ghosts playing pretty songs off their new album in an even prettier venue. And Ohana for being amazing every time I saw them. I think it was like 10 times. Something like that. They rule.

Best Australian Releases Of 2008

2009-01-14T20:09:00.021+11:00

1. Ohana – Dead Beat – The Birth Of The Clinic

My favourite Australian band at the moment released a phenomenal album in October 2008. It was called Dead Beat and it was just under half an hour of some of the most intense tunes you are ever likely to hear. Sadly the band is now on hiatus as the members move interstate or overseas. Their live show, personally witnessed a meager 10 times this year, is something that translates superbly on record. An amazing record from an amazing band. Easily the best thing I heard in 2008.

2. Eddy Current Suppression Ring – Primary Colours – Which Way To Go

Old school punk rawk never sounded so good. So simple and so much fun. It’s kinda weird that they have gotten so big, even being nominated for an ARIA, yet there are plenty of other bands doing quite similar stuff who are still unknown. But there is just something about their songs that get stuck in your head for days on end. Brendan’s monotone speak/sing style? Eddy’s clean guitar lines? Whatever it is, it’s good. And they should keep doing it. P.S. If you get the chance to see them live, do it. I challenge you to have more fun than that for $10.

3. Charge Group – Escaping Mankind – Redcoats & Convicts

Formed from members of The Instant and various other Sydney bands, it’s no mean feat just describing what this group sounds like. Dirty Three is an obvious reference point, with violin added to the conventional rock band set up. Though I think what so endears me to this band are Matt Blackmans imperfect vocals. It’s this feature, plus many other indescribable qualities that make the band so appealing. Choosing a favourite track would be near impossible; Lunar Module and Vice’d are both brilliant and here is proof that Lullabies For The Apocalypse is, too. But Redcoats got the nod in the end. Another man down as we drink the keg dry…

4. The Drones – Havilah – Oh My

As I’ve previously stated, The Drones are a damn fine band. And this is another damn fine record. As stated in some interviews, it was a bit of a change to hear Gareth Liddiard sound a little, dare I say, happy? Avid fans of the band had been heard to scream “sellout!” at their newly purchased disc but all very prematurely. This change in direction proves The Drones can do absolutely anything they like, at least in the realms of music, and make it awesome. I dare them to make a disco album next. I double dare them. As well as their recorded output, they continue with their reputation of vicious live shows.

5. Robert Forster – The Evangelist – Let Your Light In, Babe

I’d barely heard The Go-Betweens before the start of the year, let alone the solo works of one of the chief songwriters of the seminal Australian group. The attention surrounding his first solo release in 12 years made me shake off my procrastination and investigate both sides of his works. The discovery of the greatest Brisbane band ever (sorry Custard) made me want to punch myself in the face as I attended their last ever gig (Homebake 2005) before Grant died and barely paid attention. So young, so naive. At least this lead me to this great LP. Negating the long held belief that Robert wrote the sad songs and Grant did the pop, Forster shows his talents at writing some great ditty’s, including the track I’ve included here, which would have to be my favourite single of the year.

6. Like… Alaska – On Against Want – Adorable

If you’re an avid reader of this piece of tripe I call Zero & Position, you’d be well aware of a Newcastle band by the name of Like…Alaska. After falling in love with their 2006 EP Beds, I was quite excited by the imminent release of the quintet’s debut full length. With mixed feelings on bands that re-release tracks from EP’s onto LP’s, it was great to see that standout track Scorn, wasn’t tampered with at all (why bother messing with perfection?). The mix of the three very different voices works superbly and with this release, I truly feel a great Australian band has stepped forward onto the scene.

7. Because Of Ghosts – This Culutre Of Background Noise – The Battle Of Mount Royal

Another brilliant work from Beacause Of Ghosts. Not a huge departure from some of their other releases (The Tomorrow We Were Promised Yesterday and No More Reason, No More Doubt), this collection of clear and concise tracks such as the one I’ve presented to the dreamy, meandering Dreaming Is Essential, they definitely aren’t another crescendo-core, Explosions rip-off. Recorded in Canada with Mr GY!BE himself, Effrim Menuck, I can hardly see BoG topping this any time soon. A rare live show in November was quite an experience in the most beautiful and elegant warehouse venue I’ve ever seen. Pretty space for pretty music.

8. Pivot – O Soundtrack My Heart – Sweet Memory

This Sydney band has been around a long time but it was only in this past year that I discovered Pivot properly. Finally catching them live (supporting Sigur Ros and headline show of their own with My Disco and Qua), I also got a hold of both of their long players and fell deeply and madly in love. The debut, Make Me Love You, was more immediate but it is this record, O Soundtrack My Heart, that has been the stayer. Despite my hatred of comparisons, the love child of Four Tet and Battles (both of which they have played with) wouldn’t be too far off the mark. Good enough for iconic label Warp, good enough for you.

9. Die!Die!Die! – Promises, Promises – Sideways Here We Come

I have a confession. I still haven’t heard the debut album from NZ band Die!Die!Die!. For some reason, I completely ignored it, despite loving their self-titled EP. So when I discovered a leak for their second album, Promises Promises, I decided I would make amends. Expecting something similar to that early EP, I was pleasantly surprised by the change in direction the trio had taken. While still retaining their more abrasive sounds, the blend with post punk approach created one of the most underrated albums of 2008.

10. My Disco – Paradise – A Christ Pendant Comfort Her Neck

I still have mixed feelings about this album. When it came out, I listened to it 10 times in row and I still didn’t know how I felt about it. 8 months later and I’m still not sure. Straying even further from their earlier work, I’m still not 100% sure I like the minimal My Disco as opposed to the more groove-based songs. But looking at it from a more objective standpoint, it’s hard to say this isn’t a fantastic album. Depending on your mood, An Even Sun can be a hypnotic, groove or 9 minutes of pure boredom. Precision, restraint, volume, maybe I really do like it…

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Holly Throsby – A Loud Call – A Heart Divided

Why have I waited so long to check out this captivating singer/songwriter? The Sydney based musician released her third album in 5 years to critical acclaim and righly so.

Firekites – The Bowery – Autumn Story

Somewhat of a Sydney supergroup, this album full of lush tunes is a stunning debut, one that would surely have been higher on the list bar laziness on my part of checking it out.

Witch Hats – Cellulite Soul - Before I Weigh

Dirty rock and roll that rumbles in the pit of your stomach. Not an easy listen but that’s all part of the charm in this debut LP from the Melbourne band.

Grey Daturas – Return To Disruption – Beyond And Into The Ultimate

Not being the biggest fan of not quite melodic music, I can still appreciate good work in the noise/doom/metal genre. This collection of songs is the perfect soundtrack to kicking skulls.

Baseball – Animal Kingdom – I Have Come To Ravish My Betrothed

This Melbourne supergroup finally put out their long-awaited debut LP early in the year. Thick Passage is insane and this collection of violin driven tracks commits to tape what they do so well live.

QUA – Q&A – Lapsang Souchong

Most definitely would have made my top 10 had I heard it a little earlier. Glitchy electro that’s much more fun that The Presets without the shitty singles and even worse fans. Supporting Four Tet in January.

Robotosaurus – Manhater – Party Sick

Less spazz, more concise hardcore from these Adeladians. Absolutely killed it when they supported Graf Orlock in July.

Arrows – Modern Art & Politics – Someone You Knew But You’ve Hardly Met

Another I only just got a chance to listen to before 2008. Sometimes I love them, sometimes I don’t, I’m still deciding on this one.

Beaches – Beaches – The Rip

Shoegaze from Melbourne all girl supergroup. All the right ingredients for some tasty triple guitar treats. Apparently not so great live but 2009 will be the judge of that.

Augie March – Watch Me Disappear – The Slant

An average Augie March album is still pretty decent. Had some great tracks and not so great tracks. Still got it live and played some rare classics at their Metro gig in Ocotober.