Stephen

Thought I'd jump in here, not because I'm particularly literate or anything but just as a central dumping ground for all my brain farts. I might focus on a bit of Australian content just because it's fairly under-represented but I'm not going to make that a rule. Basically whatever I am taken by when I feel inspired.

So.. uh... welcome .

Stephen

Hunters and Collectors - Self Titled (1982)



I was reminded of this album recently and after giving it a few plays have decided it really was a strong debut for these guys. Tracks take the form of extended, meandering jams. By that I mean that themes aren't really developed within the tracks but are fairly repetitive rhythmically. However they are easily sustained by the punchy bass and driving rhythms interspersed with jangly guitar spikes. Vocally Mark Seymour is probably more closely aligned to early Nick Cave than on later more mainstream Hunters and Collectors offerings. I have seen this album described in reviews as 'funky' but I'm not sure it's a description I would have come up with.

This is the opening track from the album - Talking to a Stranger.



Overall I'd rate this as classic Aussie pub-rock well worth a listen to anyone who cares. 7/10

Edit: Fixed dead link

djchameleon

If this journal doesn't impress me. I will have to deduct 50 dkp!

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Fame, fortune, power, titties. People say these are the most crucial things in life, but you can have a pocket full o' gold and it doesn't mean sh*t if you don't have someone to share that gold with. Seems simple. Yet it's an important lesson to learn. Even lone wolves run in packs sometimes.

Trollheart

Condescending stereotypical Australian comment # 1,734: "G'day mate! Throw a few shrimps on the barbie and grab a cold one!"

Seriously, welcome to the land of Journals. You're just in time to qualify for inclusion on the new Journal League Table, due to be published for the first time ever on Sunday!

Nice to have ya along: looking forward to seeing what you have to say.

Cool title too!

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Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Screen13

Already to a good start! This song was one of my favorites back then - still is now.
A Canadian Video show that was on Sunday, Midnight way back in 1984 had some of the very best music from that time in it's brief run including this.

Stephen

Models - Cut Lunch (1981)



Those who know of Models through their later James Freud penned single releases Out of Mind, Out of Sight and Barbados are in for a bit of a culture shock. Cut Lunch was recorded as an earlier EP when Sean Kelly was at the helm. A quirky collection of kind of post punk/ new wavy tracks bridging the gap between their home made pop-y debut Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf and their second album Local &/or General which kind of built on the direction of Cut Lunch.

Tracks are built around an odd sort of disjointed bass/synth core with Kelly's strained and abstract vocals angrily interjecting with the guitar.



Kind of hard to rate this one but a sentimental favourite of mine. I recommend this album to anyone with any interest in post-punk. Objectively I'd give it around 6.5 - 7 but stylistically I think it's really a unique snapshot of the period.

Edit: Fixed dead link.

Stephen

Died Pretty - Free Dirt (1986)



On this their debut album Died Pretty showcase the sort of music they did so well. Kind of full, lush, moody rock ballads. Worst description ever but whatever it was it was good. With intonation like a higher pitched Dylan, vocalist Ron Peno also proves that you don't need a good voice to be a good singer .



I'd give this one a 7.5/10.

Stephen

Venom P. Stinger - Meet My Friend Venom (1986)



Featuring two thirds of the Dirty Three in an anarchic and nihilistic blend of punk, noise and swamp, this is an album that has earned it's place in Melbourne punk history.



Great stuff 8/10 .

Scarlett O'Hara

I'm hoping to see some Midnight Oil in here!

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Stephen

The Drones - Feelin Kinda Free (2016)



If you’re not familiar with Aussie band The Drones (which I imagine is sadly probably the case) then it won’t mean much to say that this album is something of a change of direction for them. Previous albums such as their debut Here Come the Lies and their follow up Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Come Floating By have been more of an angry pub rock sort of vibe, and that was certainly something they did well.

For me it’s always gratifying when a favourite band tries something new rather than just repeating themselves. There is a kind of cut up feel to some of the mixing which can be disorienting in a good way. Tracks are still underpinned by a healthy dose of anger and overall it’s a great album that I look forward to hopefully seeing live in the next couple of months.



Might revise this after a few more listens but maybe a 7/10