FEBRUARY 15'

February already been and gone…..things are really starting to ramp up now!!

A short playlist this month but as always, packs a bit of punch…

Enjoy

LF

Spotify Playlist - Melodious Haze - February 15'

Gig Review

Who: Angus & Julia Stone
Supports: Cloud Control and Little May
When: Friday 27^th Feb
Where: Margaret Court Arena

After fighting the crowds  lined up to see Drake next door at Rod Laver Arena, we arrived into Margaret Court Arena very excited to see Little May. Having only released the one self-titled EP to date, Little May have built a reasonable fan base in a short period of time and after seeing them play live, it is quite obvious why. Apart from the fact they are all ridiculously good looking, the band possess a wonderful power and stage presence; something you would expect from seasoned performers, particularly in the relatively large space that is Margaret Court Arena. I’d be hopeful of hearing another EP this year from Little May, if not, their debut full length and if they continue tracking in their current trajectory, things look pretty bright for this young band.

Cloud Control were up next and those close to me would know that these guys are now right up there for favourite bands of mine. Their 2 albums are brilliant and the energy they carry live never ceases to disappoint; needless to say, tonight’s show was no exception. Cloud Control crammed as many songs as they could into their small allocated support slot timeframe and again brought an unparalleled level of energy. Early album favourites ‘Gold Canary’ and ‘There’s Nothing In The Water We Can’t Fight’ were probably the pick of the songs but realistically this band could play any number of their songs and you’d be happy. Even with a new bass player, things seemed as cohesive as ever. I can’t wait for LP #3 hopefully later this year and the next time the band plays their own run of headline shows.

Of course Angus & Julia Stone hit the stage next and I was very interested to see how they would transcend their most recent self-titled LP into the live setting. Angus & Julia Stone has a small shift in sound in comparison to previous records with a move away from the delicate acoustic guitars to some heavy powerful guitars. I’m not saying they’ve become the next Iron Maiden, but what they have done it seems, is mature a little and develop a stronger sound that appears is more about themselves than their fans.

Fortunately, with the help of a great backing band, they were able to reinforce this sound in front of a full house at Melbourne’s newest large scale music venue, Margaret Court Arena. Songs like ‘A Heartbreak’ and ‘Heart Beats Slow’ were executed perfectly and boy did they drive home some of these new stronger riffs!! Of course there were the slower moments of ‘Santa Monica Dream’ and ‘Yellow Brick Road’ but when Julia played an unbelievable trumpet solo, things really ramped up another level again.

Finally, the encore was just about the highlight of the show as the band welcomed Cloud Control onto the stage to perform Little Red’s hit ‘Rock It.’ Such a cool moment and a great way to cap off a top night!!

Albums

Artist: Belle & Sebastian
Album: Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance
Year: 2015
Similar Artists: I think I should list bands that have attributed their sound to Belle & Sebastian!
My Rating: 7/10

Firstly there is absolutely no way I can start without instantly rambling about opening track ‘Nobody’s Empire’. Belle & Sebastian have an incredible back catalogue dating many years but this song will immediately be talked about as one of their greatest ever. The melody that runs throughout is unbelievably catchy and as my dear friend Sarah said “It’s just about the only thing that would ever make you want your Monday morning commute to work last longer!!”. The song winds along in ups and downs effortlessly with so much happening, yet sounding incredibly simple at the same time. The couple of moments where the band harmonises in a crescendo like manner is frightening almost as you have the feeling to look over your should an expect an entire choir to be standing right behind you. Again, the way this track builds is also frightening; when it’s played loud you feel like you could run through your front door and take on the world like some kind of super hero. I have absolutely smashed this song since getting my hands on a copy of the album and will continue to smash it for a long time now. This song is a must listen and will certainly be one of 2015’s best.

Now, let me take a breath whilst I recap and talk about the rest of the album!!

But again, I want to jump to another song ‘Play for Today’ with the guest vocals of Dee Dee Penny from the Dum Dum Girls. This track goes for a lengthy 7 ½ minutes but just like ‘Nobody’s Empire’ you have the feeling that it could continue for much much longer. This song is as close to a duet as you get with a call and answer type arrangement telling a story of sorts. Of course, the instruments used accentuate everything great that Belle & Sebastian represent and chime in to develop a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Another beautiful track right here.

Other enjoyable tracks include ‘Ever Had A Little Faith’, ‘The Everlasting Muse’ which reminds me of some kind of Irish Waltz, ‘Allie’ and ‘The Book Of You’. These songs all possess some beauty to them and accompany the great tracks mentioned above to form the pillars of an excellent album.

Unfortunately, and as widely documented on pretty much every music site you would have read earlier this year, there are some tracks that really possess a strong change for Belle & Sebastian and it comes in the form of an electronic influence. Now, don’t get me wrong these tracks aren’t necessarily bad tracks, but it’s just not the type of music I enjoy listening to. And in fact, I would even go as far as saying that there are moments within these tracks that I enjoy, but on the whole, I would do without them. ‘The Party Line’, ‘Enter Sylvia Plath’ and ‘Perfect Couple’s’ (in a weird carribbean way) all this unruly electronic edge and good on Belle & Sebastian for mixing it up, but to be completely honest its not for me.

Anyway, we have ourselves here a pretty good album on the whole with some excellent tracks thrown in there. And thank the high heavens that I got to see ‘Nobodys Empire’ played out live at the start of the month when the band toured Australia!!

Artist: Hey Rosetta!
Album: Second Sight

Year: 2015 (but released late 2014 in Canada – weird!)
Similar Artists: Freelance Whales, The Head & The Heart
My Rating 7.5/10

I was initially reluctant to review this LP after Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance as I thought my reviews would sound too similar; I felt like there was a lot in common with the records, however after extended listening, I can now see some similarities and at this point would put Second Sight slightly ahead.

Anyway enough of my crap and onto Hey Rosetta!....they are a band I came across a number of years ago in a support slot for The Jezabels and I came to really enjoy their 2011 record Seeds; in fact I still really enjoy it!! They had a big sound (being a 7 piece +/- on tours) and there is something about Canadian bands that enhances their appeal. I was a bit blindsided by the release of this record which came out in Canada late last year but only in the U.S this year, but lucky for us, it’s out and it’s pretty dam good!!

The opening three tracks are wonderful – all three star tracks for those playing the starring game; and they tell us a little bit about how the band has developed in the last 4 years, primarily losing slightly that raucous unruly edge that may have turned people off in the past and instead developing a more systematic approach to their song writing.

‘What Arrows’ is the longest track on the record at 6:45 and builds from a slow ballad to a surprisingly enjoyable synth filled wanderer. ‘Promise’ hits the spot again, whilst ‘Kid Gloves’ follows with some excellent use of a dirty guitar hook and a subsequent solid bass outlaying. ‘Kitsukuroi’ is another wonderful track and reminds me a lot of the Hey Rosetta! we know for Seeds – fun, ambitious and cheeky.

Initally I thought the album wound down to a slow close, and it does in some respects, until the second last track ‘Harriet’ hits you, which might I add, should absolutely be the closing track. I would love to know who Harriet is because I feel like she is special to someone in the band as this is a powerful song. ‘Harriet’ is a modest track for the most parts but with the use of horns, strings and wonderful harmonies you can’t help but find yourself captivated as the song builds to its beautiful close.

7.5/10 intially seems quite high for this album, but like I said with extended listening, there is some real cohesion found between songs and even some beauty within this record.

Singles

Artist: Cold War Kids

Track: First

Year: 2014
From the Album: Hold My Home

A cracking track here that I first heard when I was in the U.S and one that I don’t know why I didn’t get my hands on again til recently. Needless to say, it’s a bit down the indie-rock path and is a touch different to most things I listen to nowadays.

It has a wonderful beat maintained throughout and surprisingly the vocals aren’t as annoying as what first listen would attribute to. There is an element of repetition but what that leads it is reinforcement of the best elements of the track. Give it a listen and tell me what you thing…….