De vez en cuando incluiré una entrada en la que músicos que admiro (como es el caso de Matt Kennedy, el líder de Kitchen's Floor) nos recomendarán cinco discos. El criterio para elegirlos será totalmente personal. Pueden ser discos actuales o antiguos, joyas ocultas ultraunderground o discos mainstream conocidos por todos. Como la razón de ser de este blog es poner luz sobre discos o grupos que merecerían mayor atención, he pensado que otros músicos (o aficionados, gente de tiendas, sellos) nos pueden ayudar.
Matt eligió cinco bandas australianas que le han gustado últimamente. Vamos allá.
1.- Holy Balm "It's You" (2012, RIP Society/Not Not Fun Records)
The debut album from Sydney's premier psychedelic dance band, Holy
Balm. 'It's You' only came out recently and I hope that the whole world embraces them as wholeheartedly as I have. The songs are excellent, 80's inspired raging synth driven dance/pop
numbers completed by deadpan monotone vocals. This is a fucking cool
album in so many ways. They've made some fascinating music videos for
these songs too. Get into the balm, mate.
Video for 'Losing Control'
Holy Balm website
2.- Scraps "Classic Shits" (Bedroom Suck Records, 2011)
Scraps is Brisbane's Laura Hill. Classic Shits is a collection of
songs she recorded between 2006 and 2009. These songs are incredibly
personal, most of them sound like they've been recorded alone in her
bedroom. I first saw her perform in 2005 and ever since then Scraps has
remained my favourite songwriter in Brisbane. These are world class
pop songs, full of personality and intelligence. 'Walking Down The
Street' is one of my all time favourite songs, I've never a more perfect
melody. These songs are all hits though, and this is an incredible
album by an incredible artist.
Scraps bandcamp
Music video for '1982'
3.- Sewers - CS (2012, Self-Released)
Sewers are a fairly new Brisbane sleaze rock band. They're evil as
fuck, and don't doubt that they hate you. The music is incredible -
this is rock n roll done right. Their first release is a limited
edition cassette EP, featuring hits such as 'Human Spray' and 'Grease My
Chain'. It also includes a cover of the Country Teasers song 'Bitches
fuck off', which is probably the most appropriate band you could compare
Sewers to at this stage.
Sewers Soundcloud
Sewers cassette order page/images
4.- Clag "Pasted Youth" (Chapter Music, 2012)
Clag were a Brisbane band that was active for the most part during the
early 1990s. 'Pasted Youth' is a new compilation CD featuring all their
studio recordings as well as some live tracks. Clag create perfectly
short and innocent pop songs that are catchy as fuck. The first 6 songs
are 'Manufacturing Resent', their only 7" release and an incredibly
rare record. These songs have become classics in Brisbane - 'Chips
& Gravy' or 'Security Man' will usually appear on the stereo of any
decent party. Vocalist Bek Moore lives a few streets away from me, and
on the few occasions that I've visited her I've been impressed by her
passion for music and completely outspoken nature. Clag are one of
those bands that you either love or hate, there's no middle ground, but
either way there's no denying that they're an important band in Brisbane
music history.
CD order page
Video for 'Scum Manor'
5.- The Native Cats "Process Praise" (Ride The Snake/Rough Skies Records, 2011)
"Process Praise" is the highly superior follow-up to the 2010 debut album
"Always On". The Native Cats are a brilliant 2 piece from Hobart,
Tasmania. Bassist Julian Teakle is something of a living legend known
for his endeavours from the 1990s onwards (most notably The
Frustrations). Vocal and keyboard duties are performed by Peter Escott
who when not performing music, is a successful stand up comedian. The
music that the pair create is simple and sparse. Escott's vocals are
half sung / half spoken, his lyrics are incredibly literate and often
quite dark. The standout track on Process Praise is 'Wearing The
Killer', a strangely epic song that creeps along with a subtle sense of
dread before exploding into an amazing and catchy as fuck
chorus/outro/whatever.
LP order page
