December Playlist

I took the last couple of months off from Roxy talks Music to recharge my batteries, binge on Netflix and try to make sense of this crazy thing called life. But now I'm back with a fresh new playlist for the holiday season. Of course it includes Run DMC's 'Christmas in Hollis' because, well duh.

On the subject of 'the holiday season', it can be a complicated time. Sometimes sad, sometimes joyous, sometimes riddled with anxiety. I'm getting some freaking awesome Lego this year, so colour me excited! Also, I suspect there may be a record or two waiting for me under the tree. Fingers crossed one of them is Juliana Hatfield's 1995 album 'Only Everything' recently repressed and released on coloured vinyl by Run Out Groove.

During my break from Roxy talks Music, I managed to catch the Mystery Lights at one of my locals. That's amazing for three reasons; one: I already knew and loved the Mystery Lights, two: they are a freaking fantastic garage rock band all the way from New York (which is worlds away from my regional Victorian city), and three: it only cost me ten bucks to see them live. Wow did they rock! They were super high-energy with a somewhat 1960's psychedelic, Westcoast sound. They sounded great, the crowd was pumped and it felt very much like an intimate jam session at times.

On a more sombre note, legendary Buzzcocks frontman Pete Shelley passed away this month. The Buzzcocks were hugely influential pioneers of pop punk. In Shelley's honour, I've included everybody's favourite Buzzcocks song 'Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)' on the Roxy talks Music - December Playlist. I hope you enjoy it.

May Playlist

I've been listening to a lot of new (and new to me) stuff lately and this month's playlist definitely reflects that. At the moment I can't get enough of the new album Blue Poles by Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders. Jack Ladder is a singer/songwriter/guitarist from Sydney with a very new wave, Bryan Ferry sound (his real name is actually Tim Rogers, but there's already a Tim Rogers and, like the Highlander, there can only be one). 

When I'm not listening to Jack Ladder, it's got to be the glam/southern rock stylings of Kyle Craft, the post post punk rockers Parquet Courts or New Yorker, Shilpa Ray who blends punk rock with a 1960's pop sound similar to the The Shangri-Las or The Ronettes, but with a razor sharp edge.

And as the weather gets steadily colder, I'm embracing my fast approaching middle age by enjoying a glass of sherry in the evenings before bed. And with my glass of sherry, the smooth soulful sounds of Donny Hathway, or the great lady, Dusty Springfield. So pour yourself a glass of sherry, get comfortable, and tune into the Roxy talks Music - May Playlist...

Album Review: Dream Wife's 'Dream Wife'

2018
11 songs
Length: 34:39
Available to buy on vinyl or CD or digital download

Dream Wife are a British punk rock trio based in London. Comprising of Rakel Mjöll on lead vocals, Alice Go on guitar and Bella Podpadec on bass, the band released their self titled debut album in January this year to critical acclaim. Its super fun, sugar-coated punk pop, with Mjöll’s accent (she’s an Icelandic native) giving it a fresh sound.

Mjöll, Go and Podpadec met at art college and formed Dream Wife in 2014. The band is named after the 1953 romantic comedy starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr and romance is rife on the album; on songs like ‘Let’s Make Out,’ ‘Taste,’ and ‘Spend The Night.’ Although it’s a far more liberated brand of romance than the 1950’s version. The band count David Bowie and Madonna among their influences. I imagine this would be the kind of album Madonna may have made herself if she was a punk rocker in the 1980’s or 90’s.

The album mixes honeyed pop melodies and harmonies with raw garage rock. Mjöll’s vocal range is interesting; shifting from sweet to powerful with so many inflections in between. ‘Let’s Make Out’ is a prime example. On ‘Act My Age’ Mjöll seems to be channeling Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Flashes of the 90’s rock band Elastica can also be heard throughout the album, in the mighty guitar riffs on ‘Fire’ and the catchy as hell, ‘Hey Heartbreaker.’

Dream Wife spruik a strong message of women’s autonomy. Songs like ‘Somebody’ (“I am not my body / I am somebody”), ‘Spend The Night’ (“Spend the night with me / I would like to know you better”) and ‘Let’s Make Out’ (“Or are you too shy? Or are we too shy?”) reject the notion of women’s sexual submissiveness; much like the Riot grrrl punk rock of the 90’s and bands like L7, Sleater Kinney and Bikini Kill. But Dream Wife are girly too, with the lush pop melodies of ‘Kids’ and ‘Love You Without Reason’ and herein lies their great appeal. Don’t get the wrong idea though, Dream Wife still have plenty of hardcore rage; ‘F.U.U’ attests to this.

‘Dream Wife’ is a brash and sparkling punk rock debut. It is party punk rock at its best and I can’t wait to hear more from this exciting new band.

Album Review: Benjamin Booker's 'Witness'

2017
10 songs
Length: 32:07
Available to buy from his store

I can’t get enough of Benjamin Booker. I first heard his latest album ‘Witness’ a couple of weeks ago and it’s pretty much all I’ve listened to since. ‘Witness’ is a mix of blues and garage rock that pairs the raw blues guitar of his first album with a more extensive sound.

Booker’s debut self-titled album was recorded in Nashville in 2013 and released in 2014. It was an instant success, debuting in the top 10 of Billboard's Alternative Albums and Independent Albums charts. It lead to appearances on ‘Late Night with David Letterman’ and ‘Conan’ and touring with Jack White and Courtney Barnett. It shows off some impressive guitar work with a vintage rock ‘n roll sound. 

‘Witness’ encompasses elements of Booker’s self-titled debut, but also much more. It also has less of the raw, frantic energy of Booker’s debut, although you wouldn’t know it from the opening track ‘Right on You,’ which is an uptempo, rock ‘n roll gem. ‘Off the Ground’ is another throwback, lulling you into sleepy submission before exploding into a rock ‘n roll number. 

Booker has embraced a more soulful, gospel sound that complements his husky voice beautifully. The title track features gospel singer Mavis Staples, and was described by the New York Times as ‘a piano-pounding hymn for Black Lives Matter.’ ‘Believe’ incorporates strings with gospel harmonies for a poignant examination of faith and ‘Carry’ is incredibly heartfelt. 

Booker carves out some lovely melodies.‘The Slow Drag Under,’ has the feel of an African-American folk song. ‘Truth is Heavy,’ is richly textured with some intricate guitar work. ‘Overtime’ has a surf rock tinge. 

‘Witness’ is a fantastic sophomore album from an accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist. The album is proof of Booker’s evolution as an artist; incorporating enough of the old sound with some wonderful new elements.