The singer reminds me of a bizarre cross between IGGY, Gary Floyd of the DICKS, and Fritz of the MUTANTS. The band itself is a bit of all those, too, but more in the line of ’60s punk done with ’77 verve. Good Australian rockers.
Heavy rockin’ Aussie stuff with plenty of late-’60s and mid-’70s influences, and since the Detroit sound seems permanently ensconced Down Under, it should come as no surprise. OK.
MUSHROOM PLANET performs Aussie rock’n’roll in the usual fashion, and here a distinctive guitar sound provides the interest. “The Chair” is the operative track, with its psych guitar riffing and sneering vocal attack—a wonderful song. The flip fares less well.
Catchy power-chord progressions, tasteful lead breaks, and extremely clever lyrics set this debut four-track apart from most current British hardcore. “Kent’s Theme” integrates snippets of cigarette jingles with a sharp anti-smoking attack, while “Let’s Get Married” adopts a loose, good-humored quality. An exceedingly winning release from a relatively unknown band. Bravo!
The CELIBATE RIFLES present plenty of innovative garage rock on their debut album. Like many other Australian bands, they’ve been heavily influenced by the likes of RADIO BIRDMAN and, to a lesser extent, the SAINTS. Most of these songs fall into that raunchy guitar-oriented pattern and feature snotty ’60s vocals. But there are also a couple of lame oddball tracks like the semi-jazzy “Where Do I Go” and the rockish “Back on the Corner.” One other positive aspect of Sideroxylon is the politically aware lyrics; one negative aspect is the under-produced guitars.
The second album from this politically aware/personally oriented Australian band, which I’m not as fond of as other people I know. Their music tends toward a ’70s rock style, with some songs on the soft side and others on the tougher, guitar-heavy side, not unlike some “Detroit rock” bands of past days. Off and on.
We missed this one the first time around, and it’s another first-rate single by one of Australia’s leading rock outfits. The JOHNNY CASH title tune is catchy and fun, and despite a fair flip, this one recalls the better rockin’ material from this country.
It’s taken me a long time to like these Aussies, but this one has finally sunk in. This band has the traditional rock’n’roll Á la BIRDMAN/SAINTS sound but with their own poetic style in both rockers and ballads. Great production, inventive arrangements, and topics ranging from world view to personal view. A fine release.
I’m a moron. The RIFLES come clear across the world to play in America, and I’m too busy to see them. Fortunately, I’ve got this live show recorded on that tour at their CBGB’s performance. Must have been an incredible show, because these tracks just blaze full of a hard-edged guitar sound.
The cover might fool you into thinking this is ’60s-punk-oriented (it did me), but forget it. Unless you’re into EAGLES drivel, pass this sucker up. Australian country crap.
