Old Weave

Tight Knit
Vetiver
Sub Pop, 2009
3 stars

One of the many Wayfarer-and-plaid-shirt-wearing folk groups to emerge out of America in the mid-noughties, Vetiver have made ‘70s-flavoured free and easy guitar music their bread and butter. Tight Knit, their fourth album proper, is the kind of album one might chuck in the stereo on a Sunday morning; a soundtrack for time spent at home between trips to the Camberwell market and the local tea shop. It’s a pleasant stroll (perhaps a little too pleasant) through warm tones, the pace flicking effortlessly between soft AM folk (opener Rolling Sea and closer At Forest Edge are standouts) and countrified AM folk-rock. There are no sharp edges, however - nothing to challenge - which may leave the more astute listener wanting. An American spring/Australian autumn release is a good move though, as the transitional seasons match the album’s reflective tone perfectly.

Artwork: B+
A nice combination of astronomy themes and bold, modern design. Not bad. The cardboard that the digipak is made out of is a bit thick, though. And by Sub Pop's standards (remember, these guys are responsible for some recent/amazing Wolf Parade and No Age album artwork), it's a bit low-key. A raw stock would've looked a hell of a lot nicer than this shiny white stuff.

Published in mX, Thursday March 26, 2009.

Sick As

Maximum Bass Xtreme
Various
Ministry of Sound, 2008
5 stars

Last year I had my mum’s old Hyundai Excel fitted out with $3,2000 worth of stereo gear (all MP3-compatible of course, plus some of those big dials and a wicked set of neons) but, at the time, the tunes I had on my Zune (mainly Britney and a bit of Pussycat Dolls) didn’t really show off what the thing could do. Problem solved! This triple-CD is perfect – there’s one disc of hip-hop (I especially like the Flo Rida song, he’s so cool), one disc of drum ‘n’ bass, and one of hardcore techno (which I didn’t really get into as much), and it all sounds a-mazing. I had to take off the Excel’s plastic spoiler ‘cos it was shaking so much, but that’s ok. Mum says she’s been getting some funny looks when she drives to the supermarket too, but I know deep down she really likes it.

Artwork: A+
The cover has that chick from Big Brother on it, you know, the one with the massive cans, who was in the house with her mum. Her. And a sick car, which looks kind of like my Excel but with a chameleon paint job (which I'm saving up for at the moment).

Published in mX, Thursday March 19, 2009.

Just a Dent

The Good Feeling Music Of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele

Mistletone, 2009
4 stars

The work ‘ukulele’, for me, throws up all kinds of warnings, but Mississippi native Dent May’s approach to an instrument often regarded as a novelty is, as described, kind of magnificent. Here the uke kicks off each track, but for the most part takes a bit of a backseat, forming a nice strummed backing tune, with bass and electric guitar and Dent’s great crooning vocals taking centre-stage. Songs such as College Town Boy and You Can’t Force A Dance Party are perhaps the finest examples of Dent’s perfect combination of tongue-in-cheek lyrics and honeyed ‘50s-style songwriting but, quite honestly, there isn’t a weak track on this album. Ukulele is officially back on the menu – now I’m just hanging out for Dent May And His Stupendous Kazoo.

Artwork: B
Some nice artwork, with '60s tones and a combination of modern styles and aztec shapes.

Published in mX, Thursday March 12, 2009.

Pop Chops

Chant Darling
Lawrence Arabia
Mistletone, 2009
4 stars

Don’t let the ‘clever in a funny way’ moniker put you off - this New Zealand songsmith has some serious pop chops. Formerly one-third of NZ’s great Ruby Suns, and having toured with Okkervil River, James Milne knows how to write a catchy tune, and on Chant Darling he covers a hell of a lot of bases. With their gorgeous vocal harmonies The Undesirables and album standout Dream Teacher have Beatles written all over them, The Beautiful Young Crew has a bit of a hillbilly vibe and I’ve Smoked Too Much gives a nod to late ‘80s Americana, but pure sunny pop tracks such as Apple Pie Bed and Fine Old Friends will surely be the ones to be picked up by JJJ and co.
Artwork: C+
For such a sunny album, that sure is a dreary album cover. It's a nice painting, but I don't know - it just doesn't suit.

Published in mX, Thursday March 5, 2009.

In a Name

Goodbye Minnesota
The Declining Winter
Sensory Projects, 2008
3.5 stars

Sure, it can be self-indulgent, and it kind of had it’s day back at the turn of the millenium, but post-rock is still a valuable genre in that, for many people, it makes for a smooth, painless introduction into the predominantly hidden world of experimental music. The genre itself is wide-reaching, ranging from loud lows to subtle highs, but in the case of Goodbye Minnesota it takes the form of melancholy (a common thread in post-rock) jazz-infused (another staple - see Do Make Say Think) experimental instrumentals. Music like this really does make you feel a certain way - in this case, a way hinted to in the band’s name; the end of winter when the days slowly start to get brighter, and with them everyone’s moods. Reflective, somber, but ultimately uplifting.

Artwork: C
Nothing to report here.

Published in mX, Thursday March 5, 2009.