Death Cab for Cutie, Enmore Theatre, Sydney. Opened with what I assumed was an unreleased song which ran at about 50 bpm. I think a few bands – The Frames spring to mind – were trying to open gigs with striking […]

I started listening to vinyl again a few years ago and have never looked (listened?) back. Streaming in the car, sure, but records in the loungeroom. It’s made me a better listener. I found CDs and (worse) an iPod […]

Isle of View is magic. Chrissie is in fine voice. That version of Private Life is my favourite, I think.

I’ve always rationalised it as the meaning – a natural shortcoming – as it does sound jarring on first (and subsequent) listens. I wonder if Mr Georgio Snr’s first language was one other than English, and Cat is […]

I’m a high school teacher. I’ve had the pleasure of introducing many colleagues to Sir Ken’s work. Affirming and heartening, and a balm for when the beancounters lurk and the politicians play education football. […]

Used to play in a band with a drummer whose former group played metal. He said they were ‘mainly thrash, but with a death influence.’ This distinction was very meaningful to him. (And presumably the other members […]

Worth the price of admission for Two Places at once. More of a mood piece album than a song album. Some of the tunes don’t quite come off, but I liked the audible freedom that the two-man line-up seemed to offer. […]

Their natural musicianship puts it way past ‘stoned in the garage’. I love Cortez the killer but, as I don’t really know Neil Young but fear his legend, I’m somehow loathe to recommend the Church’s version for […]

An upvote for Box of Birds over here. Sure, not essential, but a more interesting collection of songs than many other bands would venture. Played articulately and in the spirit of genuine fandom. I think there’s a […]

I reject the premise of the OP. Lightly spread on toast of a morning, it’s magic. If you’re slightly hungover, combine it with a banana smoothie and you’ll be back on form. A ‘vegemite song’ might be more […]

One of my favourite rock quotes. Joe Elliot from Def Leppard about Back in Black:
“It’s sonically correct”.

There’s a real joyousness about it. And a sense that, like much great art, so much technical skill and craft combines to make it seem effortless and generous. Michael J Fox was always watchable, and the music is […]

And possibly the most effective octave jump this side of Cat Stevens’ Father & Son.

in a nice synchronicity, I picked up a second hand copy of this album not two days ago, based on it getting good notices forever, but never knowingly having heard it – and now it’s all this. I was surprised the […]

What I’m finding interesting (after looking into Linehan’s form, only having known – and loved – IT Crowd) is that many of us seem unusually well-adjusted in terms of the storm/teacup aspect of social media. This […]

Love the band, love the album. But I agree that a 10th anniversary reissue feels like a slight occasion. Admittedly, The National have released quite a few since then but most bands these days would have only put […]

Radiohead’s Planet Telex on The Bends. Not a disaster, but a high bar set from thereon in.

Agreed. Sets up the album and the (relatively tangential) change in their sound to something more atmospheric. Love that song.

I hadn’t heard it since I was kid when, when night in my mid 30s I arrived home drunk late one nght, turned on Rage and it was playing. I dissolved into tears at the sheer pull of nostalgia.
I’m pretty sure […]