Bernard Fanning will return with not one, but two albums over the next 12 months, the first of which will be Civil Dusk (released August 5). The appetiser to the set Wasting Time is a melodic piece of pop with a hook that should please most Fanning/Powderfinger fans. The challenge for Bernard Fanning and indeed any singer with a recognisable voice is how do they distinguish … [Read more...]
Good To Be Alive Today – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Michael Franti has always been at his best when he’s motivated by a cause. The danger with politicising music is that too easily it can become a turn off when you’re forever harping on about what’s wrong with the world. In Franti’s case though his eternal optimism and predilection towards writing music that makes you want to get up and dance have proven to be an infectious … [Read more...]
Open The Door – Guy Garvey
Late last year Elbow front man Guy Garvey took a sabbatical from his lifelong musical cohorts to explore some new territory with a solo album. And while Courting the Squall did at times veer into familiar Elbowesque eloquence with Garvey’s whimsical “I’m just a working class lad out of sync with the world at large” poetic lyricism it did manage to avoid the grandeur of Elbow’s … [Read more...]
Float – Switchfoot
Switchfoot have been around since the late 90’s, sold truckloads of records, won Grammys, shared the stage with Taylor Swift and even wrote a song for the Narnia Chronicles soundtrack - yet it’s possible you’re still not that familiar with their music. Partially that could be because they started out as an indie rock band and their first 3 albums on the small Re:think label … [Read more...]