Skyhooks exploded as an entity in 1974 with Living In The 70’s. It was an astonishing debut that changed the face of Australian music and went on to become the highest selling independent album by an Australian artist, a record held until the release of The Whitlams' Eternal Nightcap in 1997. The album’s success ensured the fledgling Mushroom Records would go on to become a … [Read more...]
The Swing – INXS
If ever you needed a reminder of just how good INXS were, one listen to The Swing is all you need. It may not have had as big an impact overseas as its successors Listen Like Thieves or the multi-million selling Kick, but The Swing was the pivotal album where INXS truly defined their sound. The Swing was the first INXS album where all the elements of their musical influences … [Read more...]
Sunnyboys – Sunnyboys
September 1981. I’m in my last year of high school and supposed to be studying for my final exams, but there’s this hot new band from Sydney whose album I’ve rushed out to buy and I can’t stop thrashing it on the little 3 in 1 stereo in my bedroom. I play the record so much that after a couple of weeks I swear the vinyl is only half as thick as it used to be. Unfortunately I’m … [Read more...]
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John
For the best part of a decade Elton John’s creative output was astonishing, not just in terms of the amount of music he was delivering but the quality of it. From June 69 through to October 78 he released 12 albums, including the phenomenal double Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. That effectively equates to 13 albums loaded with some exceptional music in just 9 years. He didn’t … [Read more...]
Show Some Emotion – Joan Armatrading
There’s something about the sound of the early Joan Armatrading albums that made music in the 70’s so good, particularly her self titled album from 1976 and Show Some Emotion which was released the following year. Before moving into a more pop oriented style these Armatrading albums from the mid 70’s were very much a product of the singer/songwriter era with considerable jazz … [Read more...]