10 Years. Mascot Label Group. 25 Oct 2017
I’ve been involved with music ever since I was a youngster. Raised on a diet of classic rock, I quickly graduated to my own journey of self-discovery through rock, metal, reggae, world music and beyond. I take pride in my prowess and the musical respect I garner from friends. I also enjoy discovering new things, and for me, this latest offering from Knoxville Tennessee band 10 Years serves as an introduction to these guys, and I’m quite impressed.
Most interesting though is that while this is my first hearing of these guys, (How To Live) As Ghosts is the band’s eighth album, and they’ve had quite a healthy dose of success over the years. Obviously not so much here in Australia, at least to my knowledge, but judging by the strength of this album, I hope that’s a trend that’s about to change.
Stylistically they remind me of music from days gone by; the post-grunge vein with a hard inner core, melodic vocals and wistful hard-edged melodies. It kind of reminds me of stuff like A Perfect Circle or even a softer Deftones, and a more rough and ready take on modern rock. There’s plenty of appeal, and I find myself getting into the groove on the first listen or two.
The album opener The Messenger is an instant winner, setting the pace for things to come. Novavaine is a hard edged funky tune, balanced by the minor melody of Catacombs. Metal fans will be satisfied by Vampires, while diversity is the key on tunes like Lucky You and Halos. This is an album with lots of depth, and I’m sure I’ll find and discover new things the more I listen.
Certainly a great little release!
Luke Balzan
10 Years is an American alternative metal band, formed in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1999. The band consists of Jesse Hasek (lead vocals), Brian Vodinh (drums, guitar, backing vocals), Chad Huff (bass guitar) and Matt Wantland (guitar). (How to Live) As Ghosts, is the band's eighth studio album.
Track Listing
1. The Messenger
2. Novacaine
3. Burnout
4. Catacombs
5. Ghosts
6. Blood Red Sky
7. Phantoms
8. Vampires
9. Halos
10. Lucky You
11. Insomnia
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Adelaide Town Hall. 13 Oct 2017
The eighth in the ASO’s Master Series was dubbed Pilgrimage of the Soul, perhaps as a reference to the significance to the composers of the periods of time during which the two main compositions on the programme were composed. Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No.1 in G Minor, Op.25, was in part inspired by his four-year ‘grand tour’ of Europe and Britain, and Elgar’s monumental Symphony No.2 in E flat, Op.63, was dedicated (but not written in response to) the death of Britain’s King Edward VII and in anticipation of the coronation of George V.
Pilgrimage of the Soul was a nice idea, but an appealing name of itself doesn’t ensure the programme has a gestalt and ‘hangs together’. If indeed there was a meaningful connection between the two major works, it was not evident under the baton of guest conductor Richard Farnes. Originally the programme was to be conducted by the late Sir Jeffrey Tate, but his sad and untimely passing required some quick work by the ASO’s leadership team to commission a replacement conductor. Farnes is of course well regarded, especially for his work in various opera houses, but the Tate-curated programme seemed to present challenges that he was not quite able to overcome.
The Elgar symphony is long and complex, with a narrative that does not easily reveal itself. Certainly there are many long and languid lines in the composition, but these risk coming across as laboured. At its conclusion on Friday night, the Elgar was greeted by polite but not enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The piano concerto fared much better, and Israel-born pianist Saleem Ashkar played the ever-popular Mendelssohn with great élan and near-astonishing virtuosity. His considerable forearm strength never gave way to any blurring of the elegant melody lines, which always shone through including on his expressive face. One was never in doubt that Ashkar was loving being in every moment of the concerto. At its conclusion, he and Farnes enjoyed an extended moment during which they (presumably) thanked each other for their artistry, but whatever they achieved wasn’t really matched in the Elgar.
Kym Clayton
When: 13 Oct
Where: Adelaide Town Hall
Bookings: Closed
The New Yorks. Independent. 15 Oct 2017
The first thing that strikes me as I listen to the second release from local Adelaide band The New Yorks is that they have an appropriate name. New York is without a doubt my favourite city in the world, and while I don’t know if any of the band’s members have had the pleasure of visiting the city, their music exudes a mood reminiscent of the city and its energy. I’m not sure if it’s because they remind me a little of bands like The Strokes or because they have an urban rawness to their sound, but their name is certainly fitting.
The release I Wish I Was You, But That’s Just Me is a tight little effort, and though there’s only four tunes and a short interlude, there’s enough energy to fill an album. The band’s rock sound sounds familiar and yet is fresh at the same time. Their style is undoubtedly rock with an interesting mellow edge, where lead guitar strikingly follows the vocal melodies and soars over clean and tight rhythms.
The songs are punchy and feel simple, but the more you listen additional depth is revealed. The single from the EP is the closer, We Enjoy This Too Much, and this is also an appropriate name, being quite an enjoyable and catchy tune!
The band has had quite a lot of activity lately, with a bunch of shows in the eastern states, and lots of local activities too. Check out their Facebook page to see what they have coming up, and be sure to check them out. I may just see you there!
Luke Balzan
The New Yorks are a four-piece indie rock band from Adelaide, South Australia. The band includes Vinnie Barbaro, Marcus Rosella, Carlos Carosi & Jared Grimm. Their sound incorporates angular guitar work and hedonistic vocals, taking influence from the early 2000’s wave of indie rock.
Track Listing
1. Badman
2. Sir Wolf
3. Truman
4. Death In Modern Time (Interlude)
5. We Enjoy This Way Too Much
Supersonic Blues Machine. Provogue/Mascot Label Group. 15 Oct 2017
I’m definitely a summer kind of person. Earlier this year, I found myself working across Europe and Canada while they were in the grips of a bitterly cold winter. While it’s nice for an Australian to see snow and experience the big freeze, by the end of my ‘tour’, I was definitely missing the sun. On my way home, I stopped off in California to thaw out, and even though it was February and technically the dead of winter, I jumped in a big American muscle car, and headed for the beach. Cos it’s always sunny in California! It’s amazing what effect the sun can have when you’ve been deprived, even if only for a few weeks. Needless to say, my smile continues to grow as we plunge headlong into the Adelaide summer, with our long days, warm sunshine and fabulous sunsets.
Almost as important as the sunshine itself, a soundtrack to the summer is an essential season must-have, and listening to Californisoul, the second album from So-Cal act Supersonic Blues Machine seems to provide just that.
The band is a trio made up of well-known session players, who’ve obviously mastered their respective instrumental crafts, but here are free to play their own tunes, and do so very well.
As the band’s name may suggest, the blues is an important feature here, with a healthy doses of funk, rhythm and blues, rock, and even reggae. There are guitars a plenty, grooving drums, soaring blues harp, choral backing vocals, and the sweet tinkling of ivory too.
The album opener I Am Done Missing You has a grooving rocksteady rhythm, L.O.V.E. is a chunky blues party, Broken Heart ventures into country territory, Elevate has a hard-edged thump, and Hard Times gets right to the heart of the blues.
There are 13 tunes on offer, and all of them have plenty to take away and cherish. So pop on the album, crack open your favourite beverage, and enjoy the soundtrack to the endless summer.
Luke Balzan
Supersonic Blues Machine is the magic merge of drumming legend Kenny Aronoff, bassist/producer Fabrizio Grossi, and award winning guitarist/lead singer Lance Lopez. Californisoul is the second album and features guest appearances by Billy F. Gibbons, Steve Lukather, Eric Gales, Robben Ford, & Walter Trout.
Track Listing
1. I Am Done Missing You
2. Somebody's Fool (feat. Robben Ford)
3. L.O.V.E.
4. Broken Heart (feat. Billy F. Gibbons)
5. Bad Boys
6. Elevate (feat. Eric Gales)
7. The One
8. Hard Times (feat. Steve Lukather)
9. Cry
10. The Stranger
11. What's Wrong (feat. Walter Trout)
12. Thank You
13. This Is Love
SIMO. Provogue/Mascot Label Group. 15 Oct 2017
It’s a rare occasion these days that a piece of music has instant appeal. Even the so-called classic era of rock music would normally take a listen or two to draw you in, with the artist capable of instant fandom a rare and special commodity. I am quite pleased to note that the latest offering from SIMO is exactly that, an album full of tunes that won me over right from the get-go. I hadn’t really heard of SIMO prior to this, but I’m certainly keen to find out more now.
Rise & Shine is the band’s third long-player, and their second on their label, and it is a very impressive collection of tunes. Doing a bit of background reading on the Nashville, Tennessee trio, centred and named for guitarist-frontman JD Simo, I found they’d toured with the likes of the Allman Brothers, Deep Purple and Joe Bonamassa, so I’m not surprised to find that I got right into what SIMO was doing.
The music is along the lines of those aforementioned bands, being bluesy, funky, cruisy and a bit psychedelic too. The guitars are a pleasure and the grooving beats are instantly enjoyable. From the slow build of opener Return, to the funky chicken-peck guitar of People Say, the rollicking instrumental funk of The Climb, to the epic blues of
Light The Candle, this album’s got plenty to enjoy.
The pace is changed up for a few sultry numbers like I Want Love and acoustic The Light, before the whole thing wraps with a massive 13-minute epic I Pray, which is a great social commentary on everything going on in the world right now, sans all the right proselytising and leftist populism. For a cynic like me, this brings everything together beautifully!
On top of great tunes and subject matter, the feel of the album is raw and vintage, with a real ballsy sound, rich and warm with oodles of tone. The virtuosic guitar interludes are accompanied by solid drums and bass, and solid rock vocals. This is the kind of album that packs in the appeal for musos as well as having plenty for a casual listener too. Fans of ’70s blues rock, a la Allman Brothers, Hendrix, Deep Purple, even Creedence, will love this!
I’ve had a ball listening to SIMO for weeks now in the car, in the house, and anywhere. Great stuff… now, to check out their back catalogue!
Luke Balzan
SIMO is an American rock band which formed in Nashville, TN. The group is notable for having virtuoso guitarist JD Simo as the centerpiece and namesake. A psychedelic soul modern rock band that also incorporates extended improvisation into its live sets, the group consists of JD Simo (guitar, vocals), Adam Abrashoff (drums), and Elad Shapiro (bass, backing vocals).
Track Listing
1. Return
2. Meditation
3. Shine
4. People Say
5. Don’t Waste Time
6. I Want Love
7. The Climb
8. Light The Candle
9. Be With You
10. The Light
11. I Pray