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Reviews (3)
05 Dec, 2006
Howling Bells - Aussie Rock Stormer
I really enjoyed this CD. It was something of a whirlwind romance with this band...I saw them supporting the Cooper Temple Clause, and bought a 7" of theirs at the gig. Rarely have a support band caught my attention like this. The songs stuck in my head so much I had to go out and buy this album, suffice to say I wasn't disappointed.
I agree with some of the other reviewers, that PJ Harvey comparisons are lazy, but somewhat apt. Cat Power would also be a name to mention as comparable. As always though, the CD is worth more than the sum of it's comparisons and influences.
The music is windswept and dense, with excellent playing from all musicians, and a great singer. Her voice is clear, and soulful and there is no hint of their Australian-ness in the songs. The standout track for me is Low Happening followed closely by Wishing Stone.
Great packaging too!
05 Dec, 2006
Greatest Hits - Slightly Sanitized
1 of 1 found this helpful However much everyone decries this album for not representing the old manics enough, I think it is very, very harsh to do what some folks in their reviews, here and in the press to give it pathetically low scores, thats not on. The compilation works well, although why greatest hits contain new songs I'll never know, and all the big hitters are present and correct. After all this is a greatest hits collection, not a pick-your-favourite-from-the-album album! Just enjoy the compilation for the music, and it's darn good music for a fact. The manics however much it is claimed write great singles, 'Motorcycle Emptiness' and most of the EMG singles really do it for me. Ignore the 'sell-out' claims and get this if you are missing any of the albums, if you have them all already then just buy the 'Grace of God' single and you're set!
05 Dec, 2006
White Rose Movement - Death Disco Alert!
This blinding little gem of a CD is truly a revelation.
All at once the sounds of the 80s meld into a truly 21st century sound. 'Deborah Carne' smacks of the Human League, 'Girls In The Back' (surely a contender for single of the year) is poppy in a real Cure-esque gothic way. There's even hints of the Smiths in 'Testcard Girl'. This is before the obvious Joy Division connurtations.
As I said though, don't be fooled by the mining of music past, this CD is fresh and new. For once the hype is close to being justified. The musicianship is tight and rhythmic and they are led along by a singer who yelps a great tune.
The only drawback for me is the lack of truly great choruses, you get the cracker in 'Girls in the Back' and the rest of the tunes on here, great as they are, pass by somewhat androgynously. Maybe that's the charm...
I whole-heartedly recommend this, it's a breathe of sleazy-fresh air in the wake of all the indiealike bands of the moment. Oh, and catch them live whenever you can, the live show is riveting.