Hear
HEAR is the enema your iTunes needs. Bringing you the most thought-provoking and up-to-date music reviews this side of Lester Bangs, HEAR sifts through the ever growing mountain of press releases and promos to only feature albums, EPs, LPs and mixes that we want to, not that we have to. Also, we try and make things make sense in 200 words or less so that you can just listen to the music.
Joanna Newsom, 'Have One On Me'
Everybody has their One. Mine used to be Zooey Deschanel, before the malicious bitch decided that her One was Ben Gibbard. A single listening of Have One on Me was all it took to put thoughts of Zooey well and truly to bed (unfortunately not mine). The album, Newsom's third, sprawls across three CDs and showcases Newsom's constantly developing range as a songstress.
The Besnard Lakes, 'Are The Roaring Night'
Sometimes I wish I didn't have to tell you about music via a flashing computer screen.
I wish I could just play you something at a party. Or make you a mix CD. Some things are better if you find them out by accident, or from a friend. The Besnard Lakes have too much personality for the impersonality of a computer screen.
Houlette, 'Bless Bless'
Houlette is the sugar cube in your Stockholm Blend tea. Their French-pop, country-esque folk minimalism reminds you of better times, of simpler times when salt came iodised and men rode horses.
Bless Bless (which translates to ‘farewell' in Icelandic) is the band's debut album, following the successes of their precursor releases.
Holly Miranda, The Magician's Private Library
Words like magical, enchanting, and playful get used a lot these days. Unfortunately, they're often meant to endear you to bands whose work has more twinkling and twee affectation than real emotion.
These words could describe Holly Miranda's debut - yet DON'T be frightened by this (or the album's title or artwork.
HEALTH interview
HEALTH operate on a visceral plane. There is emotion apparent in their recordings but it is not made clear for you in words. It comes through in sound abstracted, voices affected and tempos flailing. They are able to connect to the audience on a basic level without having to sacrifice their complexities.
Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?
"I'm not for sale. I'm fucking Love, do you understand what I'm saying? Like, the Beatles were for sale. I give it away." - Anton Newcombe, DiG!
Who Killed Sgt. Pepper? is not an Anton Newcombe ego jibe at the Beatles' classic Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and nor is it an ode.
Eddy Current Suppression Ring, 'Rush To Relax'
When asked to describe the difference between ECSR's Primary Colours and their self-titled debut, guitarist Mikey Young said it was more '82 than '76. With their third album, Rush To Relax, I don't think Mikey would be able to sum up the difference so easily.
Rush To Relax picks up where Primary Colours left off.
Random Entries:
Subscribe to our e-newsletter for weekly updates and exclusive stuff:
Browse our guide to Perth by interest
Perth Events Calendar
Select a date to see what's on in Perth
Browse our guide to Perth by keyword
Browse our guide to Perth by weekly issue
Working