Top 116 Songs of 2016, #100 - 91

#116 - 101

#100. FALLING, LANDING

by Cash Savage and The Last Drinks





I hear the plane, I think we're landing
Welcome back, we're glad that you're here.

Earlier in the year, Cash Savage and The Last Drinks released their ridiculously good third LP, One of Us. The first track from said album was this one right here, a song that I haven't been able to get enough of months after first hearing it, 'Falling, Landing'. With the way the music builds up, it feels like the brooding Cash Savage will explode at any minute. Instead, the band unleashes musical interludes as opposed to your standard chorus and it's perfect. Because when there's vaguely threatening strings circling like sharks about to rip you apart, I'm going to call that song perfect. Savage firmly holds your attention with every word that comes out of her mouth and seriously, if her voice isn't some sort of national treasure then I don't know what is. 'Falling, Landing' sees Cash Savage and The Last Drinks firmly living up to one of their own descriptions. Dark, deep and unmistakably Australian. Yes, yes, yes and more, more, more. Please. (Matt Bond)   

#99. SAY IT TOO

by Mark Harding





It could feel so right 'cause it's taken so long
Say it too, say it too, say it to me now. 

I don't want to let on any secrets so early in the countdown, but I'm pretty sure this is the newest of all the songs that you're going to read about in the next 99 songs and pretty sure Mark Harding is going to appear again later anyway, but if you ever read our blog you'd have guessed that already. Here's a real secret; you wanna know why we kicked someone else to 117 to stick Mark in here? The other song sucked. No! None of these songs suck. You've probably worked that out already. It's because, quite simply,  this is a really, really, really good song. More please Mark. Thank you. (Jo Michelmore)

It's a real skill to make a song that sounds so familiar that's also undeniably unique. When this happens, I think it's because the track in question has a story you can relate something in your life to or the music itself speaks to you at an emotional level. 'Say It Too' does both of these things and it's only Mark Harding's debut single. Oh, the places you're going to go, Mr Harding. I'm so very, very excited to hear what comes next. Until then, I'll be more than happy to listen to 'Say It Too' over and over again. You know what else is a real skill? Making a song that someone can listen to a thousand times and never get sick of it. I'm already halfway to a thousand and I don't see myself getting sick of this one anytime soon. Or ever. (Matt Bond)

#98. EVENTUALLY

by The Ruiins

Just take it or leave it

Don't start a war.

'Eventually' makes you want to jump in the car and cruise on down to the beach for some fun in the sun. Which fits The Ruiins well with Adam Dooker and Pat Sugden based on the Gold Coast. Rocking summer vibes run strong throughout 'Eventually', with a full sound unleashed in the chorus that's a whole lot bigger than what you'd expect from a two man combo. The perfect summer singalong? Heck yes it is. Grab some friends and let the good times roll with The Ruiins. (Matt Bond)   


No Google, when I type The Ruiins, I am not searching for a horror film set in sunny Mexico, what I'm searching for a band from the Gold Coast singing songs built for summer afternoons spent sitting near a beach, probably with a beer in hand. What I'd like is a simple rock tune I can nod my head to, tap my feet to and what I'd really like is to stop being doubted, because Google, from now on, ruiins has two 'i's', regardless of what you want to believe. (Jo Michelmore) 

#97. ZOMBIE

by Bad Pony

Come, give me one hint of human

And I can see that you don't seem like yourself anymore.

I really like a band that know who they are. The description Bad Pony give themselves on their Facebook page says pretty much everything I need to say about them; "Many drums. Many sings". I suppose I should throw in another word or two, considering blog and words and things. Here goes. Many crunchy guitars. So heavy. Much 90s. I like. (Jo Michelmore)

I like Bad Pony. I like zombies. It only makes sense that I'm going to like a song by Bad Pony called 'Zombie'. And what's not to like? Nothing. That's what. It's manic, infectious (like a zombie virus - that's right, I'm going there) and highlights everything Bad Pony has to offer. There's huge hooks, a booming chorus that you can scream your heart out to and that unstoppable feeling that starts in your toes and makes you want to dance. Bloody good stuff right here from Bad Pony! Since we're talking about zombies, has this season of The Walking Dead been a snooze-fest or what? (Matt Bond)

#96. RATHER BE LONELY

by I Know Leopard





But I would rather be lonely again
I would rather be lonely again than with you. 

I Know Leopard have always been oh so dreamy, but 'Rather Be Lonely' takes steps in a psychedelic direction that's really working for them. And for me. I am picking up what they are putting down here. Dreamy, lightly psychedelic perfection. That's what we've got right here from the Sydney-based outfit. I've already heard 'Rather Be Lonely' a couple of times on the j's, so it's nice to see our national youth broadcaster getting firmly behind I Know Leopard because this song deserves to not get lost in the shuffle. Could it be a contender to place the band in the Hottest 100 come Australia? The timing is right, it's getting a lot of play... why not? I'd sure like to hear it on Australia Day. Dreamy, lightly psychedelic perfection + a VB and steak sanga. 'Straya. (Matt Bond)

#95. STITCHES

by Mr Little Jeans





Oh what you never knew
Has me coming back to you...

There must be something in the water over in Norway that makes their country folk so darn good at making the most delicious of pop tunes. I'm assuming there's magic in the fjords and global warming is causing them to melt and the magic is going into the streams and rivers of Norway and the children are drinking the water while giving their offerings to the Norse gods. And one of those children was known as Monica Birkenes and she grew up to be Mr Little Jeans and she is so darn good at making delicious pop tunes. Take 'Stitches' for example. It's got all the drama of a Lana Del Rey ballad with mighty fine electronic touches, but it's not all summertime (summertime) sadness here. With Mr Little Jeans you won't be able to take the smile off your face. Also, I haven't done any research into my theory about the fjords, but I'm probably right, so... (Matt Bond)  

#94. YOU AND ME

by Ben Abraham

These are the moments that I love reliving the year through song, when I press play on a song I may have pushed aside and forgotten for a minute or two there, but one that I remember how much I loved as soon as I hear the opening notes. I loved the feeling of desperation, I loved the clip with all it's dramatic fairy lights and I loved a slightly deshevilled Ben Abraham in a suit. What a good year it's been. What a good song this is. What a babe Mr Abraham is. (Jo Michelmore)

#93. WHO MADE YOU GOD?

by The Bear Hunt





No one cares where you come from
Or where you go.

I've probably mentioned about five times already that there's no rock music like Brisbane rock music and The Bear Hunt are another band on the rise from the Sunshine State's capital that prove it. A little heavier than the standard garage sound we've grown accustomed to, on 'Who Made You God' the band captures everything you could ever love about 90s alternative while still managing to keep it fresh. Wailing guitars, beating drums and a whole lot of don't mess with me vibes will keep you coming back for more. Bec Wilson's voice is unlike any other in Australian music right now; unique and totally commanding. The Bear Hunt are expected to drop an EP early next year and I'm already thinking it's going to be one of my most played albums of 2017. (Matt Bond)

Perhaps the thing I love most about twenty years after the 90s is the natural cycle of music and life and things and the resurgence of everything grunge from the decade that spawned messy guitars, don't care hair, dirty drums and a fuck you attitude. The Bear Hunt would have been perfectly at home in one of the dodgy downstairs dives that lined the streets of the yet to be loved Valley in their hometown of Brisbane in the mid 90s and, following that natural cycle of music, they are now perfectly at home in so many of the slightly cleaner venues now residing on top of those basements of twenty years ago. How good is the cycle of music and life and things? (Jo Michelmore)

#92. HOLLAND ON FIRE

by Gallery Circus





Just like the movies
All the movers and shakers watch the parade. 

Let's just start this with a little community service for those of our community who may enjoy this service. Gallery Circus consists of two boys who wear checked shirts quite well and have a small amount of facial hair. If this happens to be your thing, they are identical twins, meaning there are two of them the same, so you go ahead and image search if you think you might enjoy that. Now, because these are meant to be words about music, I don't wish Holland to be on fire, because you know, tulips and clogs and cheese and shit, but I do like the sound of 'Holland On Fire', because it's all the things I like about music. Big guitars, big vocals, big drums and big sounds. Now, get to your image searching and enjoy the, music. You're welcome. (Jo Michelmore)

#91. DOOMSDAY CLOCK

by Abbe May ft. Joni Hogan and Odette Mercy 

Shallow rivers still drown

The tallest mountains can fall down. 

Abbe May's fucking rad. I could stop there, because what more needs to be said? She's one of the most effortlessly cool artists in all of the musics and continues to develop her sound in the most fascinating ways. 2013's Kiss My Apocalypse was sexy and scary, moving from fun to poignant sometimes multiple times in the one song. I couldn't get enough of it and from what we've heard of the follow-up, Bitchcraft, I've got a feeling I won't be able to get enough of it either. 'Doomsday Clock' was released as the second single from May's hugely anticipated third solo album and finds our fave WA rocker moving in her most soulful direction yet. It's fresh, it's funky and it's so totally Abbe May that you won't be able to resist its charms. (Matt Bond)

Doomsday doesn't sound so bad with a gospel choir, a beat that needs to be moved to, a vocal like Abbe May's and a serious amount of hand claps. One of those songs that hides its real feelings behind the sounds of a party, 'Doomsday Clock' tackles some big issues head on with a giant amount of sass right alongside a whole lot of calm. So when is this doomsday again? Check that clock, because Abbe May makes it sound like something to look forward to. (Jo Michelmore)

Top 25 - 4 July, 2016

Stevie + Cash Savage!

1. Stevie - Decay (NEW)


 


Jo's Pick of the Week: Admittedly, when I saw this duo's name, my first thought was "Nicks?" followed quickly by "Wonder?", which made me question whether I was just really old or dull, but when I started a google they were the two top suggested Stevies, so that made me feel a little bit better about myself and my clearly exceptional taste in music, which includes being a fan of  this track from Brisbane's own Stevie, neither of who is named Stevie, but rather Phoebe Imhoff and Miro Mackie, who have been hanging about together for a couple of years now creating some synth heavy addictive songs like this one. The clip is clean and dark, the sound is clear and dusky (if that's a word?) and nothing at all like Stevie of the Wonder or Nicks varieties, except to say it's very, very, very good. (Jo Michelmore)

 
2. Montaigne - Because I Love You





3. Cash Savage and The Last Drinks - Falling, Landing (NEW)





Matt's Pick of the Week: I only had to listen to 'Falling, Landing' once to know that I had to get my hands on a copy of Cash Savage and The Last Drinks' new album One of Us. And by copy, I mean iTunes download, because it was the most immediate way of me hearing more of Savage's killer voice. Long story short, go and get yourself a copy/download/record/whatever of One of Us because it's one beauty of an LP. Back to what we're here for; 'Falling, Landing'. What a blues-infused, rock and rolling delight of a track. From the moment Savage's controlled and commanding voice makes its presence felt, I was invested 100% in everything on offer. The vaguely haunting and eventually manic strings build the track alongside the guitar and drums lines. Less vague in terms of a haunted quality are the lyrics and their country leanings. As we've previously discussed, country music is the music of pain and Savage twists that pain into something that feels accepted. Think of purgatory, but an eternity of repeated suffering that you've just come to accept is your lot in life. "Falling. Landing. Wounded, but still here. All in all, there will be another morning." I love the use of extended-ish instrumental segments and the use of spoken word behind Savage's singing in the third verse. It's different, but not experimental and weird for the sake of it. It's different, but different is exactly what we need to hear more of. Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, I'll leave it to your own words to sum up how happy I am to have you part of the musical landscape once more. "Welcome back, we're glad that you're here." (Matt Bond)


4. Emily Wurramara - Black Smoke





5. Big Scary - The Opposite of Us (NEW)





6. Ngaiire - House On A Rock





7. MKO Sun - Boom Pow





8. Lanks - Bitter Leaf





9. Old Sault - Sail Home (NEW)





10. E^ST ft. Mallrat - Get Money (NEW)





11. Emma Louise - West End Kids





12. Bec Sandridge - You're A Fucking Joke





13. SAFIA - Over You (NEW)





14. Aphex Twin - CIRKLON3 [ Колхозная mix ]



 

15. Wild Honey - Pull It Together





16. Alex Lahey - Let's Go Out





17. TEES - Got The Feeling (NEW)





18. Running Touch - Levitate





19. Alice Ivy ft. RaRa - Almost Here (NEW)





20. Bad Pony - Sideways





21. Ta-Ku and Wafia - Meet In The Middle





22. Gang of Youths - Strange Diseases





23. Allistere ft. Sabrina Michelle - Hesitated Sparks





24. Burn Antares - Young Gun





25. Passerine - Synthetic Heart

Gig Review - Little Day In 2014

Katie hit the jackpot at the Little Day In with Cash Savage, Gay Paris and Stella Angelico!

LITTLE DAY IN 2014

Live @ The Joynt, Brisbane (18/01/13)

Review by Katie Langley

I spent my Saturday afternoon and evening with my two favourite things: music and beards. Who knew that The Joynt’s Little Day In would attract so much luscious facial hair? But I digress. Little Day In was pitched as an intimate alternative to Big Day Out. I didn’t realise just how intimate things would get until a little later into the evening. Sure, it was busy, but nothing like that tidal wave crowd you can find yourself fighting all day at a Big Day Out. There were no long lines to the bar or bathroom, and I didn’t come away with any awkward sunburn on the top of my head. In fact, no sunburn at all. Music, beards, and no sunburn – it’s the holy trinity, right?

Flap!

 

Melbourne’s Flap! had me intrigued right from the get go. I mean, it’s not Flap, it’s Flap! A band hell bent on including an exclamation mark into their name has to be interesting. That theory turned out to be true. And I should clarify that I mean interesting in the best possible way. Not like when you come home from a date and answer “interesting” with a scratch of the head when asked how it went. I thought I had Flap!’s (that looks wrong, but let’s go with it) sound figured out, but each song brought something new . After all, the five piece sight influences from 1920s jazz, Gypsy brass, English Folk and Trinidadian Calypso. It really was fantastic.


Vocals duties are shared between ukulele playing Jess Guille and trumpet playing Eamon McNelis. Jess shares a lot of similarities with Lily Allen – cute, soft vocal delivery with lyrics that pack a punch. She smiled and popped the whole time, and it was really quite infectious. Eamon was a much less wanky Michael Buble type, with a really hypnotic jazz swagger. Look, the whole band were amazing – the trombone was exceptional.


Highlight for me was during ‘Billy Hunt’, a song about a convict attempting to escape Port Arthur dressed as a kangaroo. There’s a point during the song where Eamon sings a series of jump’s and hops’, to which the audience very diligently obeyed.

Stella Angelico

What a voice! But first I need to paint the picture. Stella looked every bit the sexy Sandra Dee kitted out in skin tight black pants, red heels and big hair. She most certainly had the attitude to match as she grooved and rolled her hips through the set. It was a little Amy Winehouse, with a load more femininity. Stella seemed at home on stage, so it was unsurprising for me to find out that performing runs in her family - her mother is a cabaret singer, and father a magician.


Stella was every bit the soul powerhouse. And she really did give it her all – her hips shook violently the entire time, and vocals were delivered with such force. Favourite track for me was 'Mister' where she called out a, “nasty piece of work.” I was caught between the desire to thrust my hips and throw a drink in someone’s face.

Cash Savage and The Last Drinks

I read a review which described front woman Cash Savage as having a, “baby-faced Elvis pout and wounded blues growl.” After witnessing her in action, I can’t think of a more perfect description. Her banter between songs had me thinking she’d be the perfect companion for a quiet drink, but mid song there was definite strength and boldness that signaled she isn’t someone to mess with.


Cash Savage and The Last Drinks could be described as dark country blues. Their music is refreshingly honest, and at times heart breaking. I think it’s fairly safe to say that this is a band we’ll be hearing more from.

Gay Paris

After seeing Gay Paris several times now I think I’ve figured out the prime vantage point. I like to get up nice and close, but not close enough that I get caught when all hell inevitably breaks loose. Perhaps I’m biased, but I just don’t think anyone brings the party like Gay Paris do.


It’s important to note that at this point in the proceeding it was 8:30pm, and punters had enjoyed a good eight hours of drinking. Why not bring on the heaviest band of the day who enjoy nudity, thrusting, and just having a fucking good time? There were a few technical hiccups, but no one in the crowd seemed to mind – it provided the perfect opportunity for front man Wailin H to bust out a few rhymes.


Musically, was it the best I have seen them? No. Did I give a shit? No. The live experience is just as important with Gay Paris and they always deliver that in droves. Highlights included; guitarist Black Tooth rocking out on a shelf only to rip it off the wall, Wailin H being undressed by the audience (there was the intimacy that was promised), Six Guns looking daper in a cowboy hat, and Slim Pickins doing an impressive moon walk.

Juke Baritone and The Swamp Dogs

Describing Juke Baritone and the Swamp Dogs is certainly a challenge, and perhaps near impossible. Their sound was gypsy, folk, and maybe even a little pirate. Seriously! It was an eclectic show, with loads of band members and a whole stack of instruments. A real feast for the senses.