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Latest reviews

The What 4

The What 4 LP Say It Straight. Posted 24 July 2008. Reviewed by Dobbie Glasson.

Twelve Dollar Monkey

Twelve Dollar Monkey EP Habitat. Posted 10 July 2008. Reviewed by Dale Taylor.

 

Truth Corroded

Truth Corroded  LP Upon the Warlord's Crawl. Posted 26 June 2008. Reviewed by Stu Wright.

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The local music scene is alive and well, and we've got people on the street to prove it! Our volunteer contributors are keen to check out local gigs and CDs, or chat about what's happening in the lives of SA musos. While MusicSA does not necessarily share the views of the volunteers, and takes no responsibility for the content of their reviews or interviews, you do have a right of reply! Just go to our Forum and post your own comments...'review a review' if you like - all opinions welcome

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reviews

Current Reviews List

The What 4  
Experimental rock band The What 4 has delivered their debut full-length album "Say It Straight". With such diverse sounds on the one release, it's no wonder they have been busy playing and getting some air time on Three D Radio. "Say It Straight" is full of mind blowing sounds and effects, coming together nicely to produce a very stable record.
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Twelve Dollar Monkey  
Twelve Dollar Monkey are beating their chests and shaking the trees of the Adelaide music scene with their latest offering 'Habitat', and so they should! The 5 track in house production shows off what talent resides in the group and is a big step forward for the local funky five piece. There's a secret acoustic track just to top it off, I'll let cha find it...
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Truth Corroded  
'Upon the Warlord's Crawl' is Truth Corroded's follow-up to the 2005 release 'Our Enemy is the Weapon', and is without doubt the bands most accomplished album to date...if 'Upon the Warlord's Crawl' does not provide Truth Corroded with a European platform for their music, then something has gone VERY wrong.
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Illicit Eve  
Producing one of the best, most solid pop/rock releases to come out of Adelaide for quite some time, Illicit Eve have been rocking and recording to present their second album, 'Into The Woods'. This album is full of big guitars, sultry vocals and intelligent song writing that welcomes Illicit Eve back from their 2005 debut 'Element Eleven'. Emily Smart (lead vocals and guitar) and Fliss Freeman (bass guitar and vocals) are Illicit Eve, and what a stylish, modern rock duo they are.
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Candida  
Candida is an Adelaide band who wants people to party, with their overall sound being electronica and funk fused with alternative rock grooves. The single's title track, 'Mystery', is brazen with glistening guitars and robotic samples. 'The Cat Empire' comes to mind here.
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Esther Lamb  
Sit back, relax, and unwind to the soulful sounds of Esther Lamb; Listen For Home is a marvelous album to pop on inside a caf?, to form the soundtrack of a late night soiree, or to just simply be enjoyed by enthusiasts of pop/jazz.
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Happy Ghosts  
'Secret Code of Beauty' is the latest LP release from local ambient-electronica producers, Andrew Muecke and Ashley Starky, AKA Happy Ghosts. The album comprises of 10 tracks each one unique in their own way, some groovy ambient, some haunting, some just out there. 'Secret Code of Beauty' takes you on journey that you stoner electro freaks will want to take again.
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We Grow Up  
'Night Kitchen' is the latest offering from Local 5 piece We Grow Up. If you're into classic songwriters like Paul Kelly, Elliot Smith, the Beatles or the Finn brothers you will love this.
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The Fiddle Chicks  
What started as a musical "experiment" for Kim Perry, Dee Trewartha and Emma Luker - to arrange tunes and songs with just three fiddles and vocals (and shed their 'bands'), has resulted in the creation of 'Out the Window, Over the Gate' - an Eclectic collection of Original, Cover and Traditional Material, all performed on fiddles and with minimal additional instrumentation.
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Poetikool Justice  
Rising up from the western suburbs of Adelaide, 'Poetikool Justice' are quickly making a name for themselves as the next big thing in Hip Hop / Rap around the local and, recently, national arenas. Their debut album 'Ground Level' is a mammoth offering - at a touch over sixty minutes in length, it provides a truly momentous canvas over which the boys paint their very colourful musical landscape.
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King Daddy  
It's been a long time coming (I remember playing with King Daddy in my "King Krill" days), but Adelaide's legendary 'King Daddy' have at last unleashed their debut album upon the world. In short, 'Evil Love' contains 14 tracks that rival some of Australia's best works in the Goth Rock / Psychobilly / Swamp Jamboree on Acid / Murder Ballad genres. It's hard to categorise, but there's a crack!
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Social Change  
You may never have heard of Social Change, but these born and bred rap-heads from Adelaide claim "We ain't new to this/ we've been doing this/ since you were in your mum's uterus." The lyric comes from "So Fly" the opening track of the band's "V.High. EP." By the measure of pure sound, this EP is a collection of catchy, subtle tunes and also a glorious feast of hip-hop pleasures.
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The Amcats  
Ok, let?s hit the nail right on the head. If you like the White Stripes, you are going to LOVE this. This is two piece heavy garage blues from start to finish, which will probably polarize some of the listening audience, but more on that later?underneath the very obvious influences there are some great tunes on here.
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Brothersister  
Siblings Dante and Xavia Nou - also known as BrotherSister - are cultured purveyors of textured, psychedelic electronica. Their self-produced sophomore recording "The Wunder Tales" is full of enigmatic, slow-to-surface charm.
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Local Produce at Big Day Out 08  
A roundup of some of the SA talent performing on the V Energy Local Produce Stage at this year's Big Day Out.
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Blistered Palms  
To be honest, Blistered Palms had me when I read that the second song on their new E.P., B.F.P. Inc., was called Jane Reilly. I eagerly examined the lyrics sheet, and they grabbed me closer.
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Rejusa  
Rejusas new EP Nurse is an extraordinarily confident record that crackles with high-tension, excitement and yearning.
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Rob McDade  
Rob McDade is known around Adelaide as an acoustic / ambient music performer, and his third release TERRAFIRMA showcases Robs ability in this genre. Rob also recently featured at the Adelaide International Guitar Festival, and has performed at the Adelaide Festival Theatre. Drawing from Acoustic, Folk and Progressive Rock influences, this is an interesting, well recorded album, however does take a broad attention span to listen to.
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Peterhead  
There's a breakneck momentum and instrumental prowess combined with dark, blistering sound and raspy vocals that's almost guaranteed to gain Peterhead a rabid cult following.
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R*N*R  
R*N*R have produced a complex, diverse offering, which is quite different to much of what is on offer at the moment. In other words, if your head is completely done in by the whole EVERMORE soft rock genre hijacking of the Australian industry, then R*N*R could be your ticket.
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The Molting Vultures  
Molting Vultures Get a Grip is a CD for those who wish that New Wave had never died. Nostalgia was originally a term for a serious medical condition. With the contemporary trend for everything retro it seems that nostalgia is contagious. For years bands have tried to co-opt the sounds of classic albums and most have failed. But Molting Vulture has succeeded in capturing the spirit, energy, darkness and personality of the Stranglers Rattus Norvegius and the New York Dolls Personality crisis.
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The Sundance Kids  
Including the Atmosphere is a bright, uplifting release full of heartfelt lyrical content backed up by an emotional, pop rock sound. If you like the optimistic energy of bands such as Evermore, youll soon become fond of this relatively new Adelaide quintet.
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Zeal  
22 year old Robert Jarvis going under the pseudonym ZEAL - creates smooth and pleasantly poppy electro-rock in his bedroom. Salt, taken from Zeals forthcoming debut EP, THIS IS HOW I HEAR YOUR VOICE is filled with rich grooves and delicate melodies with subtle introspection.
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The Divide  
The Divide are an Adelaide based folk rock band, consisting of husband and wife Jeremy and Emma Owen, and brother Tim Owen. Their self-titled album The Divide was recorded at Mixmasters Studios, mixed by Richard Belkner in Sydney at FEDS and was mastered by Oscar Gaona at Studio 301.
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Red Rascal  
A solid debut, Red is the Colour of Revolution is a summation of serious hard playing with jagged, jarring 70s punk inspired tunes which even with the volume turned down rocks the foundations.
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Straight to the Ace  
Straight to the Ace spent April of 2007 in Sydney, recording their new EP Hold Me Down with renowned producer Phil McKellar. What theyve produced is listener friendly Indie Pop which should sit well with the Soft Rock mood currently flavouring the nation.
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Reckless Haze  
From the energetic guitar riffs of "Political Mistake" to the thudding boldness of "Spoilt Brats", Reckless Haze displays on its, 6-track, debut album, 12 Years of Hell, the talent and will to become a rock band par excellence.
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Blow Up Betty  
Asking For Trouble is an energetic, fast paced EP which will get you singing and bopping along to guitar-driven, punk melodies with attitude.
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Seconds to Fall  
Thirteen Days features many melodic rock songs, driven by heavy guitar chords, very strong drumming and fierce vocals.
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Unknown Truth  
Unknown Truth may be unknown but the truth is it is an excellent rock band. When a band begins its debut EP with an instrumental it obviously believes that musicianship is important.
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Schickel  
Old school goodness is back, and its name is Schickel. This nascent duos album Blue, Green & Tuesday is a fine, if unadventurous, pure pop album with a little something for everyone.
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Hekyl  
Hekyls debut EP Stochastic Ruminations of the Barbirusa is a hard, bold, uncompromising, relentless assault. If you enjoy quality-fashioned Heavy Metal Stochastic is a highly recommended powerful rocker
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Goldstein  
Goldsteins Spurs on My Boots is a poised and adventurous debut. The 11 track album is deeper than it initially appears to be. Spurs is an inspired if sometimes uneven offering, mixing country, folk, roots, humorous Australian bush poetry and a few hints of dark satire about rural life.
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Munchkin  
From its effervescent first song to its stylish ending, Munchkins album, Deny Youre Here is a superb, accessible, rare accomplishment.
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Squeaker  
There is nothing squeaky about Squeaker. Instead the trio from Adelaide are power poppers with a cool sound. The bands pre-release single Jesus Aint My Boyfriend is testament to the groups untapped talent but is more like a dressed-up demo CD than a fully fledged EP. Musically it's high energy, catchy, hook ridden power chords and big funky riffs galore with more than a touch of generic synthetics yet remains raw and meaningful.
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Mild Steel  
Mild Steel is common, soft and easily beaten into shape. But there is nothing ordinary, yielding or malleable about Port Augusta band Mild Steel. Instead on its eponymous debut album, Mild Steel plays 10 hard, loud, rough and tough rock songs filled with power chords and energy.
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Is This Art?  
The second LP for Is This Art? Everything is Cheaper Than It Looks features many catchy grunge/pub rock anthems and raw ballads.
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Emily Davis  
Emily Daviss debut album Moving in Slow Motion is filled with ten beautifully crafted songs with instantly memorable and touching lyrics. Supremely produced by Monique Brumby, Moving in Slow Motion highlights Daviss intense vocals which give an powerful depth to an extensive musical heart.
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Emily Smart  
What is The Escape Plan I hear you ask? Trust in Emily Smart - she has the answer. While everyone seems in a hurry, driven by time, lacking patience and so forth, Emily will take you on a musical journey that challenges you to slow down, take a deep breath and live every moment with the sheer enthusiasm of being alive.
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200 Motels  
200 Motels rose from the ashes of the Kim Roberts Band (KRB) but on the evidence of its eponymous debut EP the band is simply KRB regurgitated. This is both the band's strength and its weakness.
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Double Handed  
Adelaide's Double Handed is a 5-piece rock band with consummate musicianship, kick-ass vigour and a professional approach. Therapist, the band's brilliant debut EP is a solid, intensely deep, rock opus that delivers.
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J-Hoe  
On the evidence of J-Hoe's EP Is That You? Adelaide may have a legitimate rival to its very own Hilltop Hoods. All five tracks on Is That You? are the kind that will have MC Frost and Maya Jupiter in raptures.
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Mr Wednesday  
Mr Wednesday should be proud and happy with their efforts on The Garden Where Parties Grow. It often has the interesting effect of making the listener feel like they're not listening to the music directly, as if they're maybe hearing it over a fence or through a neighbour's wall with lots of ambient sounds in between. I recommend you climb over the wall or fence and have an up-close listen to an extremely soothing album.
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Miracle Hat  
Each moment in life is a miracle. Indeed on its 5 song, debut EP Do You See? Miracle Hat's sheer, infectious joy in its music demonstrates solid tunes, adventurous lyricism and self-assured musicianship.
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Fear of Flying  
Most bands suffer from second album syndrome but Fear of Flying's Migration passes with flying colours. Although it has taken approximately half a decade for the band to release its new EP, some things are worth the wait.
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Fear in Dakota  
With their latest offering, the 6 track EP Sunshine, Adelaide five piece Fear In Dakota have shone another brilliant ray on the local scene. It's not a perfect release - it does not claim to be - but it is a coherent collection of passionate rock songs that breathe life and spirit from start to finish.
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Granny Flat  
Schooled in rock tradition, GrannyFlat is already streets ahead of its rivals. If this young band continues to progress at its current rate it will soon require its own post code.
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Mayfield  
Mayfield is not yet the finished article but That Bears Her Name the final song on its debut 5 track EP, To Whom It May Concern, hints at how good Mayfield may become.
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Risemann  
Nathan Hein (singer/songwriter/guitarist) deserves much better than has been delivered with Inner Scream. He is a decent songwriter and it would not be a surprise if in the future his songs appeared in musical theatre.
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Matt Winter Band  
Quality music doesn't have a shelf life and Spaces falls into that category; the music is brilliant for a local band with a limited budget.
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