Top 20 - 20 May, 2012

Kimbra is ready to take the US by storm!

1. Garbage - I Hate Love (#1 for 2 weeks!)







2. Kimbra - Come Into My Head (NEW)








3. Santigold - This Isn't Our Parade






4. The Temper Trap - Trembling Hands






5. Curxes - Haunted Gold

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - Whistle While You Work

This is what you get when you search for Axl Rose on Google. Outstanding.

This week I was lucky (?) enough to hear a friend do some special renditions of various songs. Not just any renditions, whistling versions. Some were amazing, some not so and the best were stopped suddenly by much laughter. It’s difficult to whistle and laugh. That got me thinking, there’s some great songs that involve whistling. There’s some terrible songs that involve whistling. This week, we look at the special vintage songs that involve the interesting art form of the whistle. You decide which are the good ones and which are the bad, it’s not for me to say which is which. Some people can’t even whistle. Think of those poor suckers before you start judging the whistle! Um, what?


Guns N Roses - Patience, 1989





Axl, for those of us without much patience, at least you get a chunk of the whistling out of the way early in this song. I mean, I know there’s the little bit at about four minutes, but I gave up watching the bandana and swaying to see if there was any more later on. Six minutes is too long for a song called patience. I don’t have that much.


Otis Reading - Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay, 1968





1960’s. Now that’s serious vintage. Otis wrote his probably most famous song and tragically, it was recorded only days before his death in a plane crash. It topped the US charts the following year and although it’s been covered a bazillion (not exact number) times, Otis is the only one who got the whistling at the end just right. Everyone else; no. Stop it.


The Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian, 1986





Oh, The Bangles. I think I probably like you, lots. The three sometimes four of you, the ‘80’s clothes, the crap film clips, the guitars and your cute vintage pop. You know, ‘Hazy Shade Of Winter’, the karaoke classic ‘Eternal Flame’; such awesome old pop, but only ‘Walk Like An Egyptian’ has got that little bit of whistling. That’s magic that is. That and the film clip with the hands in the air and the Egyptian head swaying thing. Genius.


David Bowie - Golden Years, 1976





Yes! Finally an excuse to post David Bowie! It’s not my favourite Bowie song, but it does feature whistling. Recorded when his eye shadow was getting heavier and his cocaine habit becoming larger, the whistling is a bit weird really, but then, so much of Bowie is weird and that’s what made him so fabulous a lot of the time. Whistle on Bowie!


Roxette - Joyride, 1991





Wow! Apparently Roxette had other songs other than ‘Listen To Your Heart’! A few actually, including this little number, which features some lovely whistling throughout. The clip also features some awful special effects, terrible hair and interesting pants. How lovely.


Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes - Home, 2009





Ok, it’s not vintage, technically, but it wasn’t released this year and I like it. It’s got a whistling start, some whistling in the middle, lots of bounce and the lyrics “Home is wherever I’m with you”. Love.

Gig Review - Kimbra (15/05/12)

Photography: Cordell Sanders

KIMBRA (15/05/12)

Live at The Tivoli, Brisbane.

Supported by: Sam Lawrence and Daniel Merriweather.

"And I've got a lot to lose, you've got a lot to prove, I've got a lot to risk, you know I can't afford to miss." As the opening lines of 'Limbo' filled The Tivoli to rapturous applause, I knew that Kimbra was going to deliver a performance that would make the night one to remember. One would assume those opening lyrics were quite telling. A week ahead of the US release of her debut album, Vows, the weight on Kimbra's shoulders to prove herself must be quite intense. If she's under any pressure, she certainly wasn't showing it on Tuesday night. On the contrary, Kimbra came onto the stage full of life and ready to raise The Tivoli's roof with the best live performance I've had the pleasure of seeing in 2012. From beginning to end, Kimbra and her amazing technicolour band delivered outstanding renditions of tracks from Vows and beyond.


There wasn't a single misstep throughout the evening. Bouncing through 'Good Intent,' 'Settle Down' and 'Two Way Street,' Kimbra had the crowd marveling at the power of her voice (incredible live) and the boundless energy both her and the band were exuding. As it was on the album, 'Old Flame' proved to be just as stunning live. Nope, not as stunning... even more so. I'm pretty sure everyone in the room collectively dropped their jaws in awe at how much vocal control Kimbra was showcasing. The set list order was laid out perfectly. After the slowed down beauty of 'Old Flame,' the band launched into the 'so-good-it-makes-you-want-to-jump-and-dance' Converse track, 'Warrior.' Who needs Mark Foster? Not Kimbra. But you already knew that.

 

Words don't do justice to how good 'Call Me' was live. Luckily I don't have to sum it up, check out the video above and see for yourself! 'Plain Gold Ring' was exceptionally classy. Somewhere out there, Nina Simone is smiling. Surprisingly, 'Withdraw' was my favourite song of the night. It's not that I didn't like it before, but seriously. Wow. Just wow. This was a knockout live and I haven't been able to stop listening to it since. The visual of Kimbra standing all beautiful looking in her red flowered dress, "snow" falling around her and blowing into the crowd as 'Withdraw' came to a close... that will stay with me for a long, long time. To finish the pre-encore set, we were treated to new track 'Come Into My Head.' Clearly being the 2011 It's My Kind of Scene 'Woman of the Year' wasn't good enough for Kimbra. She's going to make a claim for the 2012 title with this song. It's a world of fun and shows just how much Kimbra has evolved in such a short span of time.

 

The inevitable encore that followed just kept the good times rolling. Sam Lawrence took to the stage for the 'Wandering Limbs' duet. Much like 'Withdraw' I found myself loving the live performance more than I ever loved it on the album. 'Cameo Lover' or, "that cameo song," (thanks, girl behind Jo) sent the crowd home happy and covered in rainbow confetti. I wasn't just happy... I was astounded, impressed, in awe and even though I didn't think it was possible, I was even more in love with Kimbra Johnson than ever before. I can't wait to see her live again!

Who Do You Think You Are - Amanda Calleja

Meet our Facebook liker of the week, Amanda! She's secretly Bonnie Tyler. What?

First things first... Amanda; I love your last name. Calleja. Wow. Secondly... Amanda; I love you. "What?" you cry out in shock laced with a tinge of fear. "But we've never even met in the real world." This is true, but your answers as this week's featured Facebook liker are just so great that I can't help it. Now that everyone reading is a little anxious (especially Amanda), let's find out the musical tastes of Amanda Calleja. Enjoy!


Q. What are you listening to at the moment?

I’ve recently downloaded Josh Pyke’s Only Sparrows and have been playing that every evening to wind down. I love the soothing sound of his voice and the story telling of his lyrics – perfect for bedtime! I’m also going through a Björk phase and have a couple of her older albums on high rotation in the car – Debut and Post. Nothing starts my work day out like 'Hyperballad' on full volume! (Editor - "Marry me!") Rightly or wrongly, I’ve been unduly influenced by my addiction to The Voice. Kate Bush is making a reappearance on the playlist, as is Regina Spektor and Stevie Wright’s 'Evie.'


Q. Do you remember the first album/cassette/CD you bought and do you still have it AND do you still love it?

My first album was the LP Make It Big by Wham, when I was 9 or 10 years old. Sigh. I spent countless hours lying on the couch listening to the most perfect pop music I’d ever heard and holding the cover, staring into the eyes of my first true love, George Michael. I’m hopeful that the LP is at my parents’ place (surely they wouldn’t have done anything to it after listening to it daily for years?). Do I still love it today? 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go' is guaranteed to get me on a dance floor every time, and 'Careless Whisper' will make me all emotional (whilst taking me straight back to Sunday evenings watching Countdown on telly!). I just bought my tickets to see George play at the BEC this November, and you can bet that a little tear will fall when he does ' Careless Whisper.' Swoon.


Q. Your favourite gig/festival experience and who is on your musical bucket list to see live?

My favourite ever gig would have to be U2 at Slane Castle in September 2001. It was a huge moment in time for me – living out one of my dreams to see U2 in Ireland. To get tickets I had a team of friends set up at my flat in Galway, all mobile phones on the go, hoping to get through! The previous show had sold out in 15 minutes, so the pressure was on! The support acts were Ash, Nelly Furtado and Moby who were all brilliant in their own right, but to see the sunset over the Castle and share the anticipation of 80,000 people waiting for U2 to burst into life on stage was one of those moments that will always be so easy to recall.
I love to see John Butler Trio at the Kuranda Amphitheatre (near Cairns in Far North Qld) – it feels like the perfect match between artist and venue. Thankfully they head this way pretty frequently! Such a great chilled vibe.


One of the first gigs I saw was Joe Cocker at Expo ‘88 in Brisbane. It was a defining moment, because up until then I’d been firmly in the teen pop camp. That evening, my 13 year old self was reduced to tears as he sang 'You Are So Beautiful' and I recognised that even the old guys could put on a show and that possibly I’d been missing out on some fabulous stuff. My parents’ record collections weren’t safe from that moment on (and still aren’t!).


My musical bucket list is not so long these days. I’d love to see Madonna live. I’ve had a girl-crush on her for as long as I can remember! I would love to go to Byron Blues Festival. Paul Simon has always been someone I’ve admired and would love to see live. To be honest, I can’t think of an artist I wouldn’t want to see. Distance, finances and children (Editor - You're married? Scandal and disappointment!) have led to some changes in how frequently I get to see any live shows, but if I’m fortunate enough to have the stars and planets align so I’m able to get there, I’ll be there!


Q. What musical influence/s do you hope to have on your children?


I really don’t know if there is terribly much hope for either of them! Both of my children were put to sleep with a combination of Jack Johnson, Enya and Ministry of Sound Chillout Sessions for the first few years of their lives, and we danced and played musical instruments to Bollywood soundtracks and Triple J Hottest 100 albums.


My 5yo girlchild is currently obsessed with Nicki Minaj (thank goodness for the cleaned-up versions!) and Timomatic. Pure pop all the way for her. My 3yo boychild enjoys The Wiggles, LMFAO and ABBA in equal measure, and can often be heard insisting that we put Beyoncé’s 'Who Runs The World (Girls)' on so he can sing and dance along.


Ultimately I am fine with whatever music they like (at least I will try really, really hard to be) and I hope that I will continue to encourage them to embrace it. I want them to feel that passion and joy that comes with the love of music. I want them to know what it’s like to not be able to sit still or stay quiet when their favourite song comes on, to sing along at a gig til their voice is gone, to enjoy the atmosphere that comes with the great live shows. All of my memories have a soundtrack, and it makes them so much richer. I hope I can share that gift with them. That, and my killer steering wheel drumming abilities.


Q. Any artist living or dead you'd love to have a cup of tea/glass of bourbon/pint of beer with?


I’d love to sit down over a beverage with Bob Marley – a herbal tea? – and just discuss life and the world in general. Michael Jackson (Pepsi, right?), just to see what he was really like. Stevie Nicks, for some whimsy - I’m guessing we’d have Ambrosia. And of course Bono. We could both indulge our love for fixing all the worlds’ problems over a fine single malt.


Q. What song can you not resist singing in the car when it comes on?

'Total Eclipse of the Heart.' I am totes Bonnie Tyler when that comes on. I even wind down the windows for the full effect.


An amazing read from an amazing music fan. Thanks for stopping by, Amanda!

It's My Kind of Interview - Kahl Wallace (The Medics)

The Medics!

Brisbane based four-piece, The Medics are undoubtedly in the midst of the biggest month of their career. Just last week they began winning rave reviews for their debut album, Foundations, after it secured itself the highly coveted placement of JJJ's feature album. With their debut set for release on Friday we were lucky enough to have a virtual chat with The Medics' lead vocalist and guitarist, Kahl Wallace about the debut LP, their incredible music videos, Splendour In The Grass and more.

Q. Foundations, the debut LP from The Medics is out May 18. How would you sum up what the album offers to a listener unfamiliar with The Medics? 

Kahl: It's an emotional record, a lot of light, shade and deep heartfelt moments. Epic at times, textured guitars and drum driven tracks. We tend to wear our hearts on our sleeves when we write lyrics, we try to give the listener a message to think about. 

Q. Many years have gone into getting to the point you are now, on the verge of releasing your debut. You've packed up your lives and moved from Cairns to Brisbane, released EP's, toured and more. What have been your favourite moments since starting the band?

Kahl: Being on the road are always fun times, getting our music heard, playing live shows. We played a show in the back of a pub in Townsville, Charles was still seventeen and we were all eighteen. We were just about to start our show when we were told Charles had to get out because he was underage. So we plugged a few leads together and he played the entire show outside the venue while the rest of us played inside.
 

Q. Your promotional videos for 'Beggars' and 'Griffin' feature some fantastic cinematography. How involved are you in the creative process for your clips and how important do you think  music videos are today? What are some of your favourite music videos?

Kahl: We are always involved with the creative process. It's something we are passionate about, it's as important as writing music for the band. A lot of videos today have lost meaning and true quality. We always try to have a story or visual impact with our videos. Something that can take the song to a whole new level. Some of my favourites are...

Coloured Stone - Black Boy

Jonsi - Go Do

At The Drive In - OneArmed Scissor

Pink Floyd - The Wall

Q. Congratulations on securing a spot at this year's Splendour In The Grass! You're not strangers to festivals, with well received performances at Groovin' The Moo and Big Day Out, but what are you going to bring to the Splendour set to make the best impression.

Kahl: We haven't really thought about it yet, I guess the main thing is to play the best we can. Just enjoy ourselves and have fun. We love playing live, I can't wait!

Q. What does the rest of 2012 look like for The Medics and are you setting your sites on any international markets?

Kahl: We're just going with the flow, playing a few national shows to support the album later this year. Just staying grounded, anything is possible at this stage. 

Q. Who has shaped your views on music the most and who would you name your biggest musical influences?

Artists such as Bunna Lawrie, Bob Dylan, Daniel Johnston, Jonsi Birgisson, Jimi Hendrix, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Cedric Bixler Zavala have really influenced me over the years. 

Q. Five years from now, where do you want to be? Are you pursuing any interests outside of music?

I don't think I ever could do anything outside of music. I just got a little job writing music for a small play at QPAC. It's a children's play about the life of Oodgeroo Noonuccal, a well known indigenous poet. I would love to get into more of the kind of work in the future. 

__________________________________________

A massive thank you to Kahl for taking the time to have a chat with us. You can pre-order Foundations right now over on iTunes. If you heard it on JJJ you already know that it's one of hell of a debut and a sign that Australian rock has a very bright future ahead.  Hankering for a physical copy of the CD and you're close enough to Brisbane next Tuesday night? Black Bear Lodge is hosting the official album launch with a live performance from The Medics. Included in the ticket price is a signed copy of the album! Head on over to OzTix and be a part of the fun!

New Music Monday #7

Not Your Kind of People (Album)

by Garbage (2012)

You may have noticed that I'm 100% in love with Garbage and the four albums they have released since 1995. So you probably already know before reading this review that I'm 100% in love with their fifth studio album, Not Your Kind of People. There was never any doubt I was going to be anything but impressed, amazed, in awe etc. Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, Duke Erikson and Steve Marker have never let their fans down before, so why should this be any different? 'Automatic Systematic Habit' opens the album with just the right amount of infectious energy to draw you right into Garbage's world. The track establishes right off the bat that this isn't going to be a collection of 90s throwback songs; the sound is modern, exciting and when the guitars let loose after the intro segment I found myself literally wanting to jump for joy. And then dance. And then incorporate jumping into my dancing. Shirley Manson has developed to the point that she can truly be named as one of the greatest front-women of all time. Scratch that, one of the greatest fronts for a band, female or male, of all time. Vig, Erikson and Marker match their leading lady every step of the way. They're not focused on creating the pop sound of BeautifulGarbage, they're not focused on making a statement like Bleed Like Me... they're just three great rock musicians that are focused on making an incredible album. Combine that with Manson's return to a lyrical style that leaves a lot of interpretation to the listener and you've got a winning LP on your hands. 

'Big Bright World' stands out with its upbeat feel. Well, it's upbeat for a Garbage song. It's also another demonstration of the band's maturing sound. When I read reviews that just mention, "here's Garbage with another 90s sounding album," I'll just chuckle and listen to the chorus in 'Big Bright World.' Imagine it alongside tracks like 'Queer' and 'Milk' on Garbage or 'You Look So Fine' and 'Temptation Waits' from Version 2.0. Garbage's new sound is that of a band that's refused to stay stagnant, a band that's grown over time and a band that continues to push themselves into new territory. 'Blood For Poppies' continues to grow on me with every listen. By the time that Shirley reflects with the final line, "I feel like I'm miles away," I'm already waiting to hit repeat. Out of the eleven tracks on the album's standard edition, this is the most 90s, classic Garbage sounding track, but it still has that modern edge to it that makes you want to hear it again and again. One track that will definitely appeal to new and older fans is 'Control.' Driving to work on Friday and listening to 'Control,' I can't even explain how happy I was. No, not because it's a happy song... because I knew I was listening to something special, a song that screamed Garbage and a song on an album that was everything I hoped it would be and more. "I can feel I lost control, I let my guard down, I let the truth out." Stop that Shirley... you're just too good with those lyrical wonders.

When it comes to debating what songs on Not Your Kind of People can be declared 'future classics,' 'I Hate Love' will always be a contender. "Love promises nothing, and then your love dies." Driven as much by the lyrics as the delicious music, 'I Hate Love' finely balances angst, loss, hurt and bitterness. A song like this is exactly why I love Garbage so much. They're counter-culture. They go against everything we're told pop music is meant to be. Not to single out one song, but this is the exact opposite of Rihanna's 'We Found Love.' Garbage haven't made a successful career out of escapism anthems, they're a success because they create an honest connection with the listener and open up a realistic dialogue. I don't know how many people can say they've found love in a hopeless place, but I can name a dozen that can relate to this; "Love makes you desperate and feeling a fool, love makes you ruthless and love makes you cruel." Some might say this is depressing. I say it's perfect and real. You've got your guitars-a-blazing money single in 'Battle In Me.' We gave it 5/5 last month and it's without a doubt one of the best songs you're going to hear all year. By the time you get to 'Beloved Freak,' the standard edition's closing number, I can understand why you'd be a little exhausted. Garbage limited their usual ballad count for Not Your Kind of People, a risky move when pacing an album, but it works. Oh does it work. 'Beloved Freak' makes you wish the album was never going to end, but knowing that it's going to, at least it ends on such an up note. Again, not the standard for a Garbage album. "You're not certain when you feel, hurt, get violent when you deal, with how the world drags you along, you're not alone." If you've been a fan of Garbage, you'll understand this lyric completely. 

Shirley, Butch, Duke and Steve have given their fans an opportunity to be part of something special... again. I can only say thank you. Album of the Year contender for sure. If you're a fan of Garbage's previous work, you're going to fall so far in love with Not Your Kind of People, you won't be listening to anything else for the foreseeable future. If you're not a fan of Garbage's previous work, what is wrong with you I strongly encourage you to still give the album a try. You'll find it mighty hard to find a better alternative release this year.

 


Matt Bond gives Not Your Kind of People five Bjork's out of five...

Gold

by Guy Sebastian

Album: Armageddon (2012)

Well, someone's got a bad case of James Brown envy, don't they? 

Jo Michelmore gives 'Gold' two Veronica's out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Addicted To You

by Shakira

Album: Sale el Sol (2010)

Sex, I mean... Shakira, I mean... hi. Absolutely nothing happens in this song and I have no idea what she's singing, but it's nice to have our yearly reminder that Shakira is super attractive. 

Matt Bond gives the 'Addicted To You' video two Ke$ha's out of five...