Album reviews

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secret-fields "I hallucinate music. I believe a lot of people do. And it's not always pleasant. I was struck by lightning when I was 15. True story. To this day I play in electrical storms. I figure I'm safe now." - Mike Pitts

These LPs form a trilogy by Portland, Oregon, musician Mike Pitts and his band, Neptune Skyline. Any and each are excellent. You'll recognise much within these songs, but you'll never be able to pin the origin down.

Details: By Robert Brokenmouth; 13 June 2014; Hits: 7708

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7.7k views

golden-greats This is the second retrospective package but the first well-rounded “best of” for the late (1994-2012) but great Swedish psych-rock-pop conglomerate. While the 2 CD “A Present From The Past” focused on outtakes and rare gems, “Golden Greats” is a single disc that’s largely what it says on the package.

Details: By The Barman; 11 June 2014; Hits: 6332

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6.3k views

feel-it-like-a-scientist When Big Black toured UK in 1987, playing their last gig in Europe, they had a few members of Wire come up on stage. Afterwards, having played with his heroes, Steve Albini commented: "Tonight we’ve walked with giants."

Wire are giants in a world of pygmy bands. Chrome are legends among giants.

Details: By Robert Brokenmouth; 08 June 2014; Hits: 8556

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8.5k views

river-mirrors Infinity Broke is the new vehicle for Sydney’s Jamie Hutchings and Jared Harrison, post the dissolution of Bluebottle Kiss. They were longtime acerbic indie fixtures on the Australian scene before Hutchings decided to go solo so the air is misty with expectation.

The first thing to say is that the self-released “River Mirrors” sounds superb. It was recorded in a shearing shed on a sheep property with a live ambience and stark glow.

Details: By The Barman; 06 June 2014; Hits: 5194

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5.1k views

big-smoke-london-town The debut album “Party Girl” made it blatantly apparent that London soul-rockers The Dustaphonics had it all over their competition on a couple of fronts. Not only did they have a killer vocalist in San Franciscan expat Kay Elizabeth but a consummate engine room to drive the songs. Album Number Two finds them with a new singer and an interchangeable rhythm section.

Details: By The Barman; 04 June 2014; Hits: 6375

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6.3k views

deux So it’s goodbye from them. After 12 years of playing gin places, late-night dives and boltholes all around Australia, a US tour, two EPs and two albums, with one final lap of honour, Sydney's Hell City Glamours will be no more. “Deux” is the farewell long-player and it’s a pretty good way to go out.

Details: By The Barman; 03 June 2014; Hits: 17580

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17.5k views

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The Living Eye

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The Crisps
JAN
24 - Old Manly Boat Shed
(6.30pm)
+ DISGRACELand
25 - MoshPit Bar, Sydney
+ The Research + The Sugar Beats
(2-6pm)
26 - Link and Pin, Woy Woy
+ Dunhill Blues + FNCs
(11-5pm)

John Kennedy & The New Originals
Live at the Marrickville Bowl Tour
JAN
17 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra, ACT
Tickets
18 – Marrickville Bowlo, NSW
Tickets
25 - Side B Vinyl Bar, Blackheath, NSW
SOLD OUT

Chimers Australian Tour
JAN
31 - La La La’s, Wollongong
+ special guests

“Hotter Than Donut Grease Tour”
Grand Pricks
+ Dave Favours & The Roadside Ashes
+ The Tall Stories
JAN
21 - Tamworth Hotel, Tamworth

I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
Grooveyard
+ Il Bruto
Smiths Alternative, Canberra
Tickets
- Feb 7
+ The On and Ons
+ Van Ruin
(city debut)
- Feb 8
Tickets

I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
The Mick Medew & Ursula 4
"In The Zone"
NSW Album Launches
+ East Coast Low
+ Jupiter 5
Stag & Hunter, Mayfield
- Feb 14
Tickets
+ The Dark Clouds
+ Jupiter 5
Marrickville Bowling Club
- Feb 15
Tickets

I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents
Dr Psychedelic Poodle (JPN)
+ Jupiter 5
+ Cheetah Beat
MoshPit, St Peters (NSW)
- Feb 22
(2pm)
Tickets

The Beasts
Corner Hotel, VIC
- Feb 21
Tickets
Manning Bar, NSW
- Feb 22
Tickets

Joeys Coop
+ The Finalists (single launch)
The Union, Newtown
- March 9
(5pm, free)

Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon
Australian Tour
MAR
7 - Lyric Lane, Perth - Tix
8 - Gerry's Gold Neighbourhood
Laneway Music Festival, Gerry's Lane, Freo (Kim solo)
8 - Mojo's, Fremantle - Tix
9 - The River, Margaret River (Kim solo)
14 - Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine, Vic - Tix
20 - Smiths Alternative, Canberra - Tix
21 - La La La's, Wollongong - Tix
22 - Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney - Tix
30 - Barwon Club, Geelong - Tix
APR
4 - Bearded Lady, Brisbane - Tix
5 - Vinnie's Dive Bar, Gold Coast - Tix
6 - Bangalow Bowlo, Bangalow, NSW - Tix
11 - The Grace Emily, Adelaide - Tix
12 - Northcote Social Club, Melbourne - Tix

The 5.6.7.8s
Australian Tour
MAR
20 – Sydney Crowbar
+ Psychotic Turnbuckles + Cheetah Beat
Tickets
21 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
Tickets
22 – High Country Hop Festival,
Beechworth, VIC
Tickets
23 – After Bar, Hobart
Tickets
25 – The Tote, Melbourne
SOLD OUT
26 – The Last Chance, Melbourne
Tickets

The Stranglers
50 Years In Black
2025 Australasian Tour
MAR
13 - Powerstation, Auckland. NZ
15 - Meow Nui, Wellington, NZ
16 - Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch, NZ
19 - Enmore Theatre, Sydney
20 - The Tivoli, Brisbane
22- Forum, Melbourne
23 - The Gov, Adelaide
25 - Astor Theatre, Perth
Tickets

The Stems
East Coast Australian Tour 2025
APR
23 - Northcote Social Club
24 - Sydney Crowbar
25 - Gum Ball Festival, Hunter Valley, NSW
26 - Old Museum, Brisbane
Tickets