Twelve years is a long time between releases, but Kate Bush doesn’t have the monopoly in disappearing for that long, since ‘Strange Life’ – the first new Howling Bells album since 2014 – marks a long overdue return for the Aussie dream pop trio. Despite the passing years, the record’s eleven tracks actually sound like a perfect continuation from previous releases, and although this may seem a little safe, it results in an album that fans will take to in a heartbeat, and will introduce those who missed the band the first time around to a set of songs that’s almost guaranteed they’ll backtrack.
Tag Archives: aussie
ROSE TATTOO – The Albums: 1981-1984
Don’t be fooled by the title: despite claiming to contain albums released between 1981-1984, this four disc set by Aussie legends Rose Tattoo actually kicks off with their self-titled album from 1978. With Lemon Records being a UK based company, the decision has been made to present that record as it was first experienced by UK audiences domestically, with its alternate title (‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Outlaws’) and belated 1981 release date. [Further evidence of this clam shell box being pitched squarely at the British buyer can be found in the sleeve notes, when Rose Tattoo’s 1986 LP ‘Blood From A Stone’ is referenced as being an Angry Anderson solo album of the same name released in 1988.]
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #141
As we head even further into a new year, submissions for the ever popular Real Gone Singles Bar continue to be very interesting. This time around. We’ve got a perfect homage to those 90s classics from the 4AD label, the return of a great retro goth band, some British skacore, and even a lo-fi oddity that proves surprisingly effective. With a couple of rocky tracks along the way and some well played Americana, we hope most people will find something new to enjoy.
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SHADOWBORN – Through The Hourglass EP
An ominous drone, a piercing sound from a synth and a feeling of rising tension create the ideal way to introduce Shadowborn’s debut EP. In just a few seconds, this gives ‘Through The Hourglass’ a feeling of unease, and the quiet but dark sounds also have the effect of making the subsequent riffs come through with a much bigger punch.
YEAH, SICK! – Your Herbs And Spices Won’t Save You Now! EP
Australian “genre-bending” act Yeah, Sick! formed during the lockdown era as a “tongue in cheek experiment that grew into something bigger”. Their debut release ‘Set To Devour Us All!’ presented a wealth of slap bass sounds colliding with muddy guitar work that set up a heavy but very rhythmic sound. The mixture of early 90s funk metal influences and nu-metal ugliness resulted in five tracks that were, at best, hard going. The music might’ve been a little more palatable if Yeah, Sick! were better songwriters. The material felt too frivolous to be taken seriously, but nowhere near amusing enough to sit with any genuine comedy themed acts. Beyond a couple of very easily pleased Mr. Bungle fans, it’s not entirely clear who might have found the EP interesting.