Thursday, October 18, 2007
diVINE Intervention
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 The greatest Rock & Roll star in the history of music, Divinyls vocalist Chrissy Amphlett, will be playing (as apart of the newly reformed Divinyls) a live show at Melbourne's Forum Theatre on December the 15th of this year. Tickets go on sale October the 30th from Ticketek, and the band will be supported by The Church on the night.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Divinyls were (and, now that they have reformed, still are) the greatest Australian Rock & Roll band in the history of recorded sound. FACT.
Their first single in over 10 years, Don't Wanna Do This, hits radio next week, and was written by Amphlett and Rogue Traders drummer Cameron McGlinchey, who is also known as Mr. Natalie Bassingthwaighte. For anyone who buys a ticket to their December Melbourne show, you'll be pleased to know you'll receive a copy of the new single on the night of the concert, which you can pick up at the venue. A new album will follow in 2008, released through Universal Records.
To say I am fucking excited would be an absolute understatement. Oh my god. Mega Divinyls appreciation coming up over the next few weeks; some mp3's even...
Labels: Australian Pop, diVINYLS, Rogue Traders
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Rogue Warriors
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 I've always been under the impression that not many of my readers actually like Rogue Traders (commentsville is usually a dead-town when they're mentioned,) which is disappointing, yes, but is not going to stop me from posting about them at all...
Next Tuesday marks the two year anniversary of the Rogue's second album release, Here Come The Drums. It's also two years since my review of that very album appeared on IAR. You can read that here (opinion on the songs I didn't think much of back then has changed, by the way.)
So now it's time for album number 3. Here Come The Drums was ridiculously huge here in Australia, hanging around the Top 20 in the albums chart for well over a full year, so I'm quite keen to see how this more mature-in-sounding album fares with the fanbase.
But, even more importantly, what do *I* think of it? First of all, no one can accuse them of playing it safe. No samples this time around, goddess Natalie Bassingthwaighte has had her hand at co-writing five of the twelve tracks, and the record definitely boasts a more mature, refined direction in sound.
CALLING ALL LOVERS
A solid start to the album; big on broken beats, but definitely not single-worthy material. 7/10
DON'T YOU WANNA FEEL
First single to be lifted off this album, not surprisingly one of the best on here. Channeling Transvision Vamp with a dash of Chrissie Amphlett, this is one of the best Oz singles 2007 has delivered. 10/10
I NEVER LIKED YOU
Bitchy Natalie! The verses bare a slight resemblance in sound to Split Enz's I Got You - the whole package is very a bright homage to new-wave, with a killer chorus ("Hey! Surprise! I never liked you, even when I tried to... I never liked you and I won't pretend to. Can't you see the curtains falling, uh-oh! Is there a reason you're still hanging around?...") This is the kind of song I could imagine Nicola Roberts singing. 10/10
CANDY COLOURED LIGHTS
Track's that totally hint at you they are about getting on it in a nightclub are fine by me. This is a hypnotic, synth-heavy track with a chorus whipped up in heaven. Gorgeous. 10/10
SPEAK AND DESTROY
It is like listening to Veruca Salt... remember those bitches?! It even sounds like Natalie says "seether" at one point. This is a classy stab at that very 90's rock sound, meshing it together with the new-wave feel this album seems to be generating quite well. 8/10
CHILDLIKE
Moody ballad time! Usually I'm left unimpressed by the 'ballad section' of an album, but this is actually pretty good, once again keeping that heavy guitar and new-wave thing going. 7/10
ON YOUR WAY TO THE DISCO
James Ash's "Oh yeah!" vocals through the chorus are DYNAMITE and totally make this song. 9.5/10
8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD
It sounds a bit like We're Coming Home, doesn't it? Not as good though. This is the only track on Better In The Dark that hasn't really gelled with me at all... 5/10
BETTER IN THE DARK
One thing I love most about Rogue Traders tracks is - and this includes their first, Natalie-less album - the lyrics are always clever. "I don't know your name. But I'll kiss you just the same. Holding hands, that's a start. Cos you'd look better in the dark." This is an attitude-filled rock throwback whose lyric content sums up what most of us have thought about many, many people we've seen in a nightclub. 9.5/10
WHAT YOU'RE ON
This is what I like to call the record's best moment. What You're On is such a gorgeous, luscious pop song with sublime, dynamic lyrics. ...On is this album's In Love Again. Never a bad thing. 10/10
THROW YOUR ARMS AROUND ME
SUMMER SINGLE ALERT! SUMMER SINGLE ALERT! Christ on a treadmill, everything about this song screams 'second single'. Rip-snorting guitar riff (which sounds a tiny, tiny bit like Mel & Kim's Respectable,) strong vocals through the verses, and an absolute rocket-fueled chorus - this is bonza stuff people. The clever thing to do would be to release this as the next single, thus making it a prominent part of the soundtrack to everyone's upcoming Australian Summer... 10/10
THE PRICE WE PAY
It sounds like Take That's Wooden Boat!! Cute ballad with sweet vocals, returning things to that Veruca Salt sound I mentioned earlier. The unexpected appearance of an army of violins in the last 2 minutes is a very, very welcomed surprise. 9/10
This is their most cohesive album to date. Definitely a strong progression from Here Come The Drums. In fact, this album works and flows better as a whole than ...Drums did. I always thought the order of Drums was a bit out of whack in places but this - this has been set out perfectly.
Definitely a contender for Album of the Year. As someone who is a fan of the band, a lover of Natalie, and a long-time follower of James Ash since his career in radio at Hitz FM, this record makes me incredibly proud.
Overall score: 10/10
Labels: Album Reviews, Australian Pop, Rogue Traders
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Touch Me (I Wanna Feel Your Playlist)
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 So there's quite a bit of new music on heavy rotation this week on the old Casa De Adem stereo...
KYLIE MINOGUE - 2 HEARTS
Some people do not like this, but I think it's swish. Am a fan of the original (by Kish Mauve,) but I do think Kyles' version is a slight improvement. I'm sold on the video clip too. My friend Emma said it's very Tori Amos, and she's right. It's also quite Goldfrapp'y (as is the video,) though I did read someone claim it was also like Christina Aguilera... yes, maybe if Kylie were a $2 hooker too busy shoving old 45's up her cunt to bother making good music, then yes, I can see the resemblance.
DANNII MINOGUE vs JASON NEVINS - TOUCH ME LIKE THAT
As good as the new Kylie may be, I cannot help but feel Dannii has outshone her sister once again with this killer new song. I've always pictured Dannii as the type to be driving down the beach in her convertible, air-conditioning turned on high, smoking a cigarette, possibly under the influence of something she purchased from a friend in Ibiza, playing her own songs as she crusies through the sunset. But really, what's the point in listening to anyone else's music when you are Dannii Minogue? And that's why I love her. Dannii's never tried to be anything she isn't with her music (people are accusing Kylie of trying to be ultra-cool with 2 Hearts. I see where they're coming from, but still think it's a remarkable lead single,) and this track is an exceptional testament to that. Guns-a-blazing, outright homosexual dancepop at its finest, I have not been more impressed with the use of a sample - Sylvester's (You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real - since Madonna's Hung Up in 2005. Pure genius.
GIRLS ALOUD - CALL THE SHOTS
What a lovely, unexpected treat. I had no idea this was going to sound like something lifted off the gorgeous self titled Cicada album, but it does. Interestingly, I have this unusual thing with any new, unheard Girls Aloud single. I listen to it once, know that it's brilliant but am not entirely convinced. Then I listen to it a second time and by the second chorus, I'm texting people telling them it's the best thing since sliced bread. It's exactly what happened when I first heard Biology (which I still believe to be the greatest pop song of all time,) and is the same story with this song. Absolute magic.
ROGUE TRADERS - BETTER IN THE DARK (NEW ALBUM)
I'll post a proper review of this later in the week, but key highlights on this stunning album so far include Throw Your Arms Around Me, What You're On, Better In The Dark, Candy Coloured Lights and I Never Liked You. I think people are going to be surprised at how un-safe this album actually is...
SUGABABES - CHANGE (ALBUM)
Still caning the life out of this, and am still convinced it's the album of the year so far. My obsession with Amelle is reaching worrying heights too; I spent 400 words of my upcoming column in Forte talking about her, and am using her name more times in a day than I do the word "awesome." Yikes...
ROISIN MURPHY - OVERPOWERED (ALBUM)
This is, all round, a pretty solid album. A couple of disappointing moments, but nothing I'd skip whilst listening to. Loving You Know Me Better.
FRANZ FERDINAND ft. GIRLS ALOUD - SOUND & VISION
GOSSIP - CARELESS WHISPER
THE KOOKS - ALL THAT SHE WANTS
CORINNE BAILEY RAE - STEADY AS SHE GOES
Songs lifted from the new Radio 1: Established 1967 compilation CD, these are the four I'm playing the most. I fucking hate Corinne Bailey Rae, but she's done a bonza job of the Racounters track. Who'da thunk it?
More stuff coming this week. For those emailing me about the My Favourite Pop Record thing, I haven't forgotten about it, I just haven't had the time to complete all the editing (there's A LOT) with uni and some heavy family stuff going on this year. It is partially edited though, and I'm doing bits and pieces here and there when I get the chance. Sorry, but yes, it is coming, I suspect it will be online in full by November.
Labels: Dannii, Girls Aloud, Minogue, Rogue Traders, Sugababes
Sunday, September 09, 2007
I told you so.
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 The new Rogue Traders single is, as previously reported, total brilliance. "Don't You Wanna Feel" is released in Oz on the 29th of September, with the album "Better In The Dark" (which is an EXCELLENT progression in sound for the guys) following shortly after on October 13th.
The song is now all over Australian radio and has probably no doubt already leaked somewhere on the internet, so it shouldn't be too hard for you to check it out.
Guess next month is all about releases from the Rogue's and Sugababes then.
Labels: Australian Pop, Rogue Traders
Friday, August 10, 2007
Trading Post
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Just a quick post with news on the upcoming Rogue Traders releases. New single, "Don't You Want To Feel" is an absolute CORKER, and will be hitting radio in just under a months time. The new album is due to 'drop' October 13th, and is called "Better In The Dark."
Not long to go now at all folks...
Labels: Australian Pop, Pop News, Rogue Traders
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Rogue Warriors
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I was lucky enough to attend the Rogue Traders' upcoming album preview show at Crown Casino this gone Saturday evening. Will have the full review - with photos - tonight or tomorrow.
So no, I haven't actually passed away.Labels: Rogue Traders
Sunday, October 23, 2005
The Union State
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 This week it is all about the new Rogue Traders album. We would have previewed this for you on Friday but the amount of server bullshit we had to sift through to get our bloody Australian Princess update online was enough of a headache, so we convinced ourselves to stay very clear of the site until at least Sunday evening.
So this new Aussie release. It's really quite good. No, reeeaaally quite good. All up, 12 tracks, with only one of them being a dud filler, and only one being a crazy Janet-like interlude.
The Rogue Traders, who consist of James Ash, Stevie D and recent addition, Neighbours star Natalie Bassingthwaite (and their nameless drummer is strangely on the cover as well), have been filling the ears of Australians with good quality dance music for more than just the last 24 months. They may have indeed come far since their rather annoying INXS sampling "One of my Kind" from a few years back, or since their amazing first few singles "I Need You To Show Me" and the 'shoulda-been-number-one-for-months' "Give Into Me", but do any of you remember an act by the name of Union State? They had some corker tunes including "The One", "Out To Getcha" and "Retrosexual". Remember Thunderchild? Anyone who owns a Wild FM Compilation CD will surely fondly recall such anthems as "B Boys To The Dancefloor" and, er, "Thunderchild". These were all the masterworkings of James Ash and Stevie D.
The boys began their reign of dance when they worked over at Melbourne's 89.9 Hitz FM (R.I.P.), where the two were on-air jocks. Cut a long story short, they've pushed and worked ever-so hard on getting their sounds heard, they are now probably the biggest pop band in the country and will, hopefully, take over the world very soon.
But onto the album. It's called "Here Come The Drums"...
BELIEVER
Quite the ferocious opener, with a dirty guitar intro which leads Natalie into singing "Just come on and say you love me/One more time what you waiting for/I just got paid I won't be lonely/So take my hand, what you waiting for?/I'm a believer". Strong and solid way to open an album filled with potential singles... 9.5/10
VOODOO CHILD
First single that introduced Natalie the vocalist to the world. Not only one of the bands stronger moments, but probably the best Australian release this year by a longshot. 10/10
WAY TO GO!
Second single (which has debuted at number #15 on the Aria charts) which boasts the legendary line "Fake it baby, they won't even know". Charmingly good, with Nat almost breaking into a feisty rap. 9/10
WORLD GO ROUND
Sounding like a vocally gifted Holly Valance, Natalie coo's and aah's about not being "That type of girl, but you're my type of guy/Come a little closer darlin', and I'll show you why". This is what the Bodyrockers only dream they sounded like. 8/10
RESCUE ME
Unfortunately, no, this isn't an electro-pop cover of the Madonna classic. Instead it's a rather wishy-washy ballad that sounds more like a bit of an after-thought rather than a solid album track. Still, it's a lot better than most of the shit in the charts at the moment, ballad or not. 6/10
WATCHING YOU
Will be a big favourite when played live, and within the first 10 seconds, it's easy to see why. Heavily sampling The Knack's "My Sharona", as great as it is - sounds a little too much like 'Voodoo Child'. However hearing Natalie sing "I need a little edge with my electro-pop" makes up for any disappointment found within the song. 8/10
CHANGE THE CHANNEL
Interlude. Which has some great 2 second beat samples through it that we'd like to hear more of. 7/10
WE'RE COMING HOME
The first track that really screams "Possible single release", the heavy use of guitars is still laced through out this number, but sounds unlike anything on the whole album. Quite possibly what the last Garbage album should have sounded like. 10/10
FASHION
Another one that's all a bit like "Voodoo Child", sounds like a Cheyne Coates album off-cut rather than something that should have ended up on the Rogue Traders album. But once again, in comparison to other things out at the moment, it's really quite good. 7/10
WHITE LIGHTNING
Possibly a bit too obscure to be a single, but with an infectiously arse-shaking electro-breakbeat groove like this, it probably should be. Not only does Natalie sing "The doctors say it's over/They think I've gone insane", but she has a few amazing screaming moments. Divine really. 9.5/10
IN LOVE AGAIN
If there were any justice in the world, not only would this be the next single, but it would be Number #1 in ever single country in the universe. Swapping the heavy-rock guitar sound for a keyboard-synth, this is not only the most club-friendly moment on the album, but probably the best. Natalie's voice is intensely sharp and on-the-ball through the entire 5 minutes, and the vocoder background vocals supplied by Mr James Ash add to the electrifying mood of this song. Surely this must be shared with the world. 10/10
CASTING ASIDE
Natalie does not sing on this one. Instead it's Rogue Trader James Ash who takes to the microphone for this rather filler-ballad. A bit of a disappointment to end the album this way, but at least we can safely say the man sounds alright on vocals. This will grow on you after a few listens... 6.5/10
So overall, this is a very strong album. The Rogue's prove they're here to stay for a few more years, and Natalie shows us an exquisitely remarkable display of being the most exciting pop star the country has seen in years. Mark my words: This is probably going to be the 4th most important album you buy this year.
Overall trading cards out of 10? I'll say 9. Close to being a full 10 but not quite.
"Here Come The Drums" out nationally tomorrow through SonyBMG.Labels: Album Reviews, Australian Pop, Rogue Traders
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