Glitter Gutter Trash
Issue 209 / May 2006 More from this Issue
Download PDF
A psychotic candyland full of glam glitz, trashy pop, new wave, post-everything, retrofuturisms and distorted beautyFrom the broken mind of ryan michael painter
Beggars Banquet's Film School sways into town May 12th to play Kilby Court. Having already dazzled crowds on both sides of the Atlantic with their beautiful epic single "On & On" and on the strength of live show this could very well be the sleeper gig of the month. Expect a wall of sound with soaring guitars, a nod to the likes of Coldplay and a kiss of indie Americana.
The Church
Un-Invited Like the Clouds
Cooking Vinyl
Street: 04.18
The Church = psychedlica + pop grandeur
Having spent the past few years exploring atmospherics and acoustics it is somewhat alarming to find that Australia's finest have returned with a pop record that harkens back to the pinnacle known as Starfish with its sing-a-long choruses. One can only imagine what the past would have looked like if Un-invited could have replaced Gold Afternoon Fix. Stadium tours and magazine covers? Probably not; The Church are cursed with brilliance and pop culture is obsessed with mediocrity. Univited...cascades, soars, rushes through like the wind and lingers like a stream of conscious musing on better days gone and still retains a sense of hope in what might come. Granted there are a handful of tracks towards the end that mute the momentum and seem somewhat out of place along side the brisk pop songs (a result of two separate recording sessions with completely different atmospheres and head spaces being combined on one album) but this complaint is quickly lost in over-all strength of the album. Some of the best songs they've written in years; that's saying something.
Morrissey
Ringleader of the Tormentors
Attack/Sanctuary
Street: 04.04
Morrissey = New Born Happy Fellow
The last time Morrissey flirted with a Bowie cohort we were treated to the brilliant Your Arsenal. Could Tony Visconti do just as well? No, not this time. Ringleader is a disappointment following the anticipation of Visconti's presence and the momentum of the lead single "You Have Killed Me." Even Ennio Morricone's sweeping string arrangement on "Dear God Please Help Me" can't hide the fact that some of the panache as left the lyricist. Nor can a rather good song survive the inclusion of a chirping children's choir (an ode to Pink Floyd perhaps) on "The Youngest was the Most Loved" (and briefly on "The Father Who Must Be Killed"). The opening track, "I Will See You in Far Off Places," with its somewhat exotic, bombastic sound suggests unrealized potential; the sort I expected from a Morrissey and Visconti collaboration. Certainly Ringleader has grown on me following the initial listen; it's not a classic or devastating failure but don't include me among the people who offer accolades when they know it should have been better.
Dresden Dolls
Yes, Virgina
Roadrunner
Street: 04.18
Dresden Dolls = Morrissey's wit + an unrestrained Tori Amos
Live: 07.24.06 In the Venue
Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione are the finest pin up duo of the Hot Topic era with their Tim Burton circus cabaret aesthetic and for some that would be enough to justify the simple existence of these Dolls. Fortunately for those looking for something a bit more substantial they're also beautifully embittered musicians. Pulling a taste from the tin pan alleys, injecting it with wit and social commentary while racing along with an overt sexuality Yes, Virgina comes across with a smile sharply placed to conceal the undercurrent of discomfort that a successful cult status brought them. More importantly the Dresden Dolls are voice for those who are told they don't matter; because they do matter.
Beggars Banquet's Film School sways into town May 12th to play Kilby Court. Having already dazzled crowds on both sides of the Atlantic with their beautiful epic single "On & On" and on the strength of live show this could very well be the sleeper gig of the month. Expect a wall of sound with soaring guitars, a nod to the likes of Coldplay and a kiss of indie Americana.
The Church Un-Invited Like the Clouds
Cooking Vinyl
Street: 04.18
The Church = psychedlica + pop grandeur
Having spent the past few years exploring atmospherics and acoustics it is somewhat alarming to find that Australia's finest have returned with a pop record that harkens back to the pinnacle known as Starfish with its sing-a-long choruses. One can only imagine what the past would have looked like if Un-invited could have replaced Gold Afternoon Fix. Stadium tours and magazine covers? Probably not; The Church are cursed with brilliance and pop culture is obsessed with mediocrity. Univited...cascades, soars, rushes through like the wind and lingers like a stream of conscious musing on better days gone and still retains a sense of hope in what might come. Granted there are a handful of tracks towards the end that mute the momentum and seem somewhat out of place along side the brisk pop songs (a result of two separate recording sessions with completely different atmospheres and head spaces being combined on one album) but this complaint is quickly lost in over-all strength of the album. Some of the best songs they've written in years; that's saying something.
Morrissey
Ringleader of the Tormentors
Attack/Sanctuary
Street: 04.04
Morrissey = New Born Happy Fellow
The last time Morrissey flirted with a Bowie cohort we were treated to the brilliant Your Arsenal. Could Tony Visconti do just as well? No, not this time. Ringleader is a disappointment following the anticipation of Visconti's presence and the momentum of the lead single "You Have Killed Me." Even Ennio Morricone's sweeping string arrangement on "Dear God Please Help Me" can't hide the fact that some of the panache as left the lyricist. Nor can a rather good song survive the inclusion of a chirping children's choir (an ode to Pink Floyd perhaps) on "The Youngest was the Most Loved" (and briefly on "The Father Who Must Be Killed"). The opening track, "I Will See You in Far Off Places," with its somewhat exotic, bombastic sound suggests unrealized potential; the sort I expected from a Morrissey and Visconti collaboration. Certainly Ringleader has grown on me following the initial listen; it's not a classic or devastating failure but don't include me among the people who offer accolades when they know it should have been better.
Dresden Dolls
Yes, Virgina
Roadrunner
Street: 04.18
Dresden Dolls = Morrissey's wit + an unrestrained Tori Amos
Live: 07.24.06 In the Venue
Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione are the finest pin up duo of the Hot Topic era with their Tim Burton circus cabaret aesthetic and for some that would be enough to justify the simple existence of these Dolls. Fortunately for those looking for something a bit more substantial they're also beautifully embittered musicians. Pulling a taste from the tin pan alleys, injecting it with wit and social commentary while racing along with an overt sexuality Yes, Virgina comes across with a smile sharply placed to conceal the undercurrent of discomfort that a successful cult status brought them. More importantly the Dresden Dolls are voice for those who are told they don't matter; because they do matter.
Page: [1] 2 Next >>
Facebook
Myspace
Twitter
YouTube
Vimeo
RSS
Be the first to comment!
Add a comment
Please keep your comments on the subject of the article.
We will delete your comment if it is racist, misogynistic, sexist, bigoted or just plain lame.
No HTML allowed!