Tag: Review

DAMIAN COWELL’S DISCO MACHINE

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Well, I was thoroughly excited to see the fact that Kanye Airport West. Who mind you I’d never heard about (which made sense as they don’t exist) turned out to actually be the band fronted by Tism frontman Damian Cowell. While also being joined by Australian Comedian Tony Martain. My mind was blown.

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I was just at first expecting Damian Cowell to be playing on stage which I mean was a treat in its self but then to also be joined by Tony. This was something on a night when I’d been to work and also lacking sleep after doing the graveyard shift on Triple R the night before. I thought I was either completely delirious or this was literally happening.

To my delight, I wasn’t hallucinating or completely losing it (A Relief). The band themselves put on a great set. Including everything from choreographed moves from the backup singers, Damian and Tony. To Damian Cowell just sometimes posing during backing vocal sections.  It was a treat for the ears as much as the eyes.

I laughed and also enjoyed the TISM disco medley as someone who’s never seen tism live it was cool to see Whatareya done live. As I mean if you were to see Tism live it wouldn’t really matter who else was in the band. They all had masks on anyway. As there was speculation as to who was in the band when they were touring in the 90s. Which has changed now and it’s known who the members were but I really feel that they can still play these songs as long as the frontman remains the same.

There was life, there was entertainment, there were laughs, I was thoroughly delighted to see them play through their songs so sharply and sound so tight. It all worked.

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If you were to catch them I’d say go for it! As the main reason for the slot was to mention that they are playing ANZAC day eve at the Northcote social club. I’d be happy to catch them live again.

They also played a bunch of new songs to which were unfamiliar to the audience and to me. But with every word being thrown on the screen behind it was great to follow along and have a great laugh while doing so. For someone in a delirious state an absolute treat to be given especially when I was so unsure about going out that night due to my lack of brain activity and rest.

It Should be mentioned the sound at The Curtain is sensational and such an iconic Melbourne venue which I’ve maybe been to once or twice in my life I will frequent more I’m sure.

Great night with an unexpected sight of a band who I did not expect to see live I never thought I’d hear a TISM song live being sung by their lead singer. An unexpected surprise act which made my night.

You can catch DAMIAN COWELL’S DISCO MACHINE at the Northcote Social club on the 24th of April.

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Regina Spektor Remember Us to Life

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regina-spektor-remember-us-to-lifeRegina Spektor has released her newest album Remember Us to Life which sadly feels very same same. I adore her sound and style but there isn’t anything I’d say ground breaking on this album.

She has some poppy layered songs which this time around don’t tend to work.

That being said what I love is when you strip her sound right back to just singing and a piano or with light instrumental elements. This where Regina truly does shine. She creates a real sense of how it is to feel depressed but enlightens us on her journey and her mind. Doing so in such a simple way of using her vocal talent and piano skills. I’ve always preferred her songs to Amanda Palmer but hey. Both are great in their own rights.

Sadly though I feel Regina Spektor and her pop efforts on What We Saw from the Cheap Seats were remarkably better.

This is how she takes us into the album in Older and Taller with lyrics such as “enjoy your youth” “sounds like a threat” What can I say I’m older now and I didn’t enjoy my youth I’d have to say I’m much happier now! Lies Regina Lies!! Honestly though I feel I’m enjoying myself and life much better then my actual youth. But hey that’s just me. Just enjoy your life I say. Not just your youth.

Also explaining what sounds like a well off child’s expression of depression on Grand Hotel is well kinda missing it’s point and not hitting it’s mark at all here just kind of boring me lyrically. Maybe I’m missing the point? But vocally and musically it is totally on point.

While saying all this don’t let that put any doubt in her ability and talent as she still does shine through tracks like The Light and Obsolete these are where her talents and abilities truly shine.

I wish I could be more positive about this release but hey just go see her live and you’ll be blown away.

She is flawless when you strip back the sound to just instrumental elements. This is how her voice truly shines.

Still worth a listen just not her best effort when it comes to doing “pop”

Pro tip: Skip through the pop songs and listen to the slower more intimate ones over and over again.

Also one must never forget that she did the theme to Orange is the New Black.

Solange A seat at the table

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Solange has released her Third Album A seat at the table With it’s polished pop sound and interesting guest vocals which include The-Dream, BJ the Chicago Kid and Lil Wayne. They all seem nicely placed within this slowed down chilled album confines.

At first listen this album could Maybe the background of a dinner party you’ve spent at least 500 dollars on and having this in the background? Then everyone gets angry and some drama breaks out after someone gets slapped in a lift on the way up to the dinner party? I can imagine this playing out in a hour long video clip. Or maybe it was reality and it already happened? Either way this album would suit the situation perfectly.

Solange has always had a laid back pop sound that seems to just slip into the background of any setting. It’s R&B style has always really does work with her vocals. She wants to shine while singing laid back songs and that’s amazing. Especially if you can pull it off (Which Solange can).

Everyone as of late has had personal interludes on their albums to really bringing a personality to an album. Solage is the same. But it’s good that artists are able to show how they feel and put their heart on their sleeves through spoken word. I struggle with doing stand up comedy sometimes and it turns into stories so I understand what it’s like to try to get something out or a message with out it actually connecting in the art you are involved with. It’s the beauty of the human condition really.

But managing to do so with out dodgy 90’s interludes which included party scenes or missed messages from a boyfriend this is deeper it’s got something more to it now.

It’s not just about the music but also sending a message and trying to educate along the way. Hey why not! As long as you keep me grooving while I sip my fine expensive wine then it’s fine by me Solange (Note: I don’t drink expensive wine or wine for that matter but if I did it would be while listening to this album)

The album does have a smooth and mellow flow throughout never gets too abrasive and keeps it “cool”. Perfect for relaxing and reflecting on what ever you feel like while looking into the distance at the same time.

this album does get into subjects like being black and producing and creating art in F.U.B.U. Writing and working on a album for three years will mean you have a lot to say.

I hope living in Australia does mean we are getting albums in this digital age a day before everyone else now. If this is true this is amazing!!

Also one of the last lines of Junie does remind me of my sister with the line “Don’t want to do dishes just want to eat food” I relate and understand there are people out there EXACTLY like this.

A beautiful quiet not in your face release of a beautiful album that slips into your day nicely.

 

Bon Iver – 22, A Million

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Bon Iver have released their latest album 22, A Million via listening parties in places all over the world. Well at least that’s what I think they are doing today via their Instagram account?

 

Then This Happened.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BK7wZM3Aq83/?taken-by=vmaesantiago

(Note: The album was played on a tape player surrounded by people who can barley hear and Bon Iver news papers handed out with no care for the environment)

Little did they know we’ve been listening away for the last month, or did they know? Has the world kept so quiet that the band managed to not realise and have it secretly slip under the radar while we all quietly listened away? Is Justin Vernon apart of the Illuminati? Does the Illuminati exist? So many unanswered questions.

But the album has been leaked for about a month now. Oh Well.. Let’s move on to the music anyway.

Firstly I feel this is a new direction for Bon Iver with more electronic elements. Are they The Killers? Only time will tell. This album has been conspired within conspiracy theories! where is the band? What have they done with them? Spending time with Kanye West will do this to music. Is it bad though? I’d have to go with no. Is it different in some tracks? Absolutely. Does the sounds of Bon Iver and the amazing harmony we know them for come through? Fucking absolutely! #Stanfford APTS is a perfect example of this bringing us the beauty that Bon Iver are known for and do best.

It should also be mentioned the track names are absolutely nuts but hey let’s go with something new with our direction?

Electronic elements come through strongly through tracks like  10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⚄ ⚄ Then there is the auto tuned ballad of  715 – CRΣΣKS. Which is exactly as it is described an Auto Tuned Ballad. Not bad if you feel the need to enjoy some auto tune in your life. But a but hit and miss also.

Bon Iver have taken their sound added a few more elements and created this album. It’s nice and cruisy I like the feel of the songs.

While we are asking questions and conspiracy theories though. Is there a Magic rule of three that someone has not mentioned to me about yet?? As Danny Browns album had three singles released before his new album dropped maybe that’s the new thing?  I like it though. To have sample tracks and enjoy parts of a album before it comes out is actually quite nice. With the stand out this time around being 22 (OVER S∞∞N) Which was a tease of the new elements and less plucking of strings.

I’m liking it.

 

Danny Brown Atrocity Exhibition

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The new Danny Brown album has been released today three days early. After hearing this it makes me think of Danny browns earlier releases. His gone back to his old sound making me instantly dismiss Old with it’s over hyped tracks which I felt it missed the flow of albums like XXX. Honestly I was ready for Danny brown to lose that flow and attain a more pop and polished sound. But to mine and I hope many fans delight he has brought back that XXX flow to this album.

The three singles which had come out before hand When it rain, with it’s amped up hyped sound that Danny brown is known for. Then Peumonia which brought more of a flow which was leaning more towards OLD with it’s clangy samples. But I mean shit it all works. But then dropping Really Doe. I was excited and ready for Atrocity Exhibition.
Listening through the whole album does bring me back to the flow of XXX I love. All the tracks do work together and the album as a full has a great flow. The odd beats is what brings me back to Danny brown quite literally everyday.  I’ve found myself coming back to the latest release before this album dropped Really Doe bringing in the Kendrick Lamar Chorus. Damn Fresh as fuck. His working with the right people making the right album.

The odd beats keep on coming on tracks like Ain’t it fun. Damn so thick and so just Danny Brown perfection I was worried he was slowly losing but has come back to smash me in the face. Quite gladly to be smashed in the face like this though ain’t funny how it happens?

The spitting rhymes of Today then slowing it the fuck down with Get Hi. This is perfection for a stoner weirdo rapper album.

All in all an album which was hyped in my mind and has come to actually not let me down like most things do when you hype them up… Like every transformers movie that wasn’t a cartoon.

But shit another great release not absolutely filled with guests either. Just the right amount.

Listen to it in full below you fool!