The Cruel Sea came out with their first CD
in 1989, Down Below. More recent CDs to come from the group have
included 1994's Three Legged Dog.RECORD REVIEWS
OVER EASY - THE CRUEL SEA
The Cruel Sea's latest release is a fantastic effort, with hard-hitting songs with a funky beat. The group have combined their considerable talents with Phil McKellar (Spiderbait, Silverchair) to come up with their best record to date. The Chamber was probably my favourite song, while Hard Times, a slow but hard song with a powerful beat, came a close second.
The Cruel Sea came out with their first CD
in 1989, Down Below. More recent CDs to come from the group have
included 1994's Three Legged Dog.
Over Easy is a polished and very classy production from one of Australia's true music icons. It's hard-hitting beats make for a great listening experience. - Chris Gordon-Brown
3.5/5
FOLLOW THE LEADER - KORN
Follow the Leader is Korn's third record, following the self-titled
Korn and Life is Peachy, which featured the hit ADIDAS.
Now this record had a very unusual gimmick, if that is what it was supposed
to be. Rather than starting at one, which I always thought most CDs did,
it starts at 13. Yep, songs 1-12 are not songs at all. But once the ball
gets rolling, it rolls right through the sound barrier. This CD was brainpoundingly
awesome.
All songs are strictly for the hardest rockers. The record also features other singing superstars, including rapper Ice Cube (Children of the Korn) and Limp Bizkit's Fred Dust (All in the Family), as well as Trey Hardson, from Pharcyde.
This CD was magnificent, awesome, brilliant, fabulous - the words could go on and on, but to save time I'll just rate it. Take a guess. - Chris Gordon-Brown
5/5
PS Yes, I am a Korn Fan
DARK CITY - SOUNDTRACK
The movie soundtrack for Dark City is not, as its title suggests, dark. Rather, the music team has managed to compile a blend that should have, at least, the potential to cater for all tastes. It features a striking mix of slow, fast, zippy and instrumental songs that come together very successfully.
The score was compiled by experienced composer Trevor Jones who has a
long list of film credits. These include the Academy Award nominated Mississippi
Burning and In The Name Of The Father and more recently GI Jane. Jones has
also composed for Cliffhanger, Arachnophobia and Sea of Love.
There is a song for everyone on the Dark City soundtrack. From Course of Empire comes the zippy and popular The Information, which was not in the movie. Other songs include the slow rhamba of Sway, by Anita Kelsey, who also performs The Night Has a Thousand Faces, which is also on the soundtrack. Echo and The Bunnymen perform the strangely joyous Just a Touch Away. Songs 7-13 on the CD are all instrumentals and are all hauntingly beautiful. If you don't like instrumentals, be warned now - they do last a while.- Michael Gordon-Brown
3.5/5
AGAINST - SEPULTURA
Against positively goes off, with awesome songs like Choke. There are some good moshing songs all through the CD and you can just picture millions of people in a mosh pit to this sort of music. Percussion lovers will not be disappointed either, as you will love Kamaitchi.
This CD was always going to be an interesting one for Sepultura as it was their first production sans former vocalist and lead guitarist Max Cavalera, who left the band to join Soulfly. Those boys from Brazil do not appear to miss a beat as new voice Andreas Acradece steps in smoothly. All around, a great effort. - Chris Gordon-Brown
4.5/5
HAPPYLAND
Ho-hum, I found this CD about as exciting as rainy Saturdays, but to be fair, this is definitely not my kind of music. But if you are a teenybopper, you will love the electrical beats and the slow calm vocals. Theme has a beat that most teenage girls or teenyboppers will really enjoy. However, since I am neither, I will rate this CD twice. Firstly, my rating. Secondly, the rating of those who love this sort of music (just so I don't get you anymore offside). -
Chris Gordon-Brown
My rating: 2/5 Teenybopper: 4/5
SLOWLY GOING THE WAY OF THE BUFFALO - MXPX
MXPX is a fast, semi-punk band. Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo has some great tunes like Tomorrow's Another Day and my favourite, Self Serving Purpose. Those of you who love punk will kill for MXPX. Even though it is not really my sort of music, I still liked it. - Chris Gordon-Brown
3.5/5
ALL THE PAIN MONEY CAN BUY - FAST BALL
All The Pain Money Can Buy is quite an
enjoyable CD and follows the band's previous efforts which have included
their 1996 debut Make Your Mama Proud.
Band members are Miles Zuniga (vocals and guitar) and Tony Scalzo (Bass an vocals) and Joey Shuffiled (Drums).
Fast Ball are a slow, alternative band and overall I found this CD to be quite good with some really groovy rythms. - Chris Gordon-Brown
3.5/5
AMY - SOUNDTRACK
The soundtrack for the Australian film Amy is bursting at the
seams with quirky and unsusual songs that merge together to produce an excellent
soundtrack. The film was the latest product of Australian husband and wife
team writer, photographer and producer David Parker and producer-director
Nadia Tass.
There is a little bit of everything on this CD. Nick Barker performs four songs, as well as featuring in the movie, including the excellent By Your Side (Mr. Popular). Neneh Cherry is also there, and she performs the rather soulful Somedays, which features a beat that you will either find annoyingly repetitive or soothing. I'd say I found it to be the latter. Real Wild Life, sung by Ed Kuepper, has most unusual instrumentals throughout it that really work to make the song move along at a nice pace. Alana, who may or may not be the Alana de Roma featured in the film credits, sings a version of Aint No Sunshine as well as a duet with Nick Barker. Her voice could only be described as a cross between Hanson and the Spice Girls (It isn't that bad, folks, don't jump to conclusions).
The score was composed by Phillip Judd, co-founder of Split Enz. He has a rather impressive list of film credits, including the Australian features "The Big Steal" and "Mr. Reliable."
Perhaps my only problem was Alana's duet with Nick Barker. For some reason, her mouse- like vocals just didn't mix with Barker's voice. But you be the judge. - Michael Gordon-Brown
4/5
WHERE HAVE ALL THE MERRYMAKERS GONE? - HARVEY DANGER
Before this review, I had never heard of the band Harvey Danger. After
writing it, I probably don't want to hear them again. While some of their
songs were really quite good, others ... well perhaps the less said the
better.
Some songs were really, really, really repetitive. By about the seventh song, I thought to myself: geez haven't I heard this before? Okay, well it wasn't that bad but you get the idea. Some of the tracks were excellent, with their fast beats and excellent guitar rythms. These included Carlotta Valdez and Terminal Annex. Flagpole Sitta was my favourite, as it featured a wonderful chorus. The lyrics were also quite impressive, dealing with issues such as love and loss (Private Helicopter).
Unfortunately, some of the music didn't allow me to listen to the lyrics. Harvey Danger were at their best when they performed their songs with a fast beat. Some songs, Wrecking Ball and Jack the Lion, were really slow and, as is always the way, far too long. - Michael Gordon-Brown
2.5/5
SCANDAL, CONTROVERSY AND ROMANCE - THE PRISSTEENS
For the most part, I enjoyed Scandal, Controversy and Romance, which was produced by Richard Gotteher and Jeffery Lesser. The funky beats ensured the songs kept a nice pace, as well as keeping my foot tapping along.
The band seems to have the image of those 60s
and 70s groups, right down to the photos on the CD cover and inside the
jacket. They even sound like 60s and 70s bands, while still managing to
sound like contemporary counterparts. The titular Scandal, Controversy
and Romance and The Hound were particularly good numbers. The
best was saved to last, however,with Going Out Tonight, which was
fast paced and quite fun. The Prissteens have provided a refreshing and
fast CD which was really great to listen to. - Michael Gordon-Brown
3.5/5
