music – Page 14

New music 12/2016 – Christine and the Queens, PJ Harvey, Bat For Lashes, Cat’s Eyes

December 29, 2016December 3, 2017yggdrasille

More like, music I got ages ago but didn’t get to write about, but better late than never.

Christine and the Queens – Christine and the Queens

Why does everything sound so much more charming when it’s sung in French, or with a French accent? Christine and the Queens is the androgynous alter ego of the French singer Héloïse Letissier, who alternates between English and French on this album but is at her most appealing when she sings in her mother tongue. Catchy, top-notch electronic pop with some provocative lyrics.

New music 08/2016 – Radiohead, Olympia, Ladyhawke, The Unthanks

August 4, 2016December 18, 2020yggdrasille

Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

Radiohead have always been a band I found easier to admire than to love. I’m very fond of The Bends and there’s a good dozen songs of theirs that move me deeply, but I never felt an urge to own a whole Radiohead album since their second one. So I’m rather surprised to find that I dig their latest so much. It’s probably their prettiest album; while they haven’t abandoned their weird eerie electronica thing the emphasis here seems to be more on the orchestral arrangements, with gorgeous strings and sad pianos. Thom Yorke’s vocals, which in the past I often found too nasally and strident for my liking, has also never sounded more gorgeous.

John Grant @ Forum Theatre

March 15, 2016April 16, 2021yggdrasille

grant-pale-green-ghosts-011 Went to see John Grant at my favourite music venue in Melbourne, for a night of exquisite balladry and funky grooves.

Sleater-Kinney @ The Croxton

March 11, 2016May 26, 2024yggdrasille

sleater-kinney A mid-week gig in Thornbury that’s unlikely to start before 10 pm would normally be a terrible prospect, especially during a week that’s already been sleep-deprived because of a late Mad Max showing at the Melbourne IMAX theatre. But if there’s any act worth going deaf in one ear and feeling like a zombie at work the next day for, it’s these amazing ladies.

Gillian Welch @ Palais Theatre

February 6, 2016February 17, 2019yggdrasille

welch_g_1-600x340 I had such great time at this concert. Beautiful venue and incredibly enthusiastic audience; I’m used to the Melbourne crowd being reserved, but from the moment Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, her musical partner (and amazing guitarist), walked onstage they got nothing but cheers and rapturous applause throughout the show.

New Music 01/2016 – Sarah Blasko, John Grant

January 18, 2016February 22, 2022yggdrasille

Sarah Blasko – Eternal Return

Sarah Blasko’s musical output over the years has been remarkably consistent and she’s not about to trip over with her fifth album – this one a tad more pop orientated and synth-heavy, with 80s flavour to some of the songs. Quality listen and solid songwriting from start to finish. I can’t say I’ve ever been emotionally moved by her music – even at her most confessional there’s just something chilly and distant about it all – but there’s definitely something very beguiling about her and her raspy-yet-ethereal voice.

Father John Misty @ Forum Theatre

December 10, 2015February 17, 2019yggdrasille

2015FatherJohnMisty_Web_Glasto15_9548_DB270615.hero I really liked I Love You, Honeybear, the second album by Father John Misty (real name Josh Tillman), silly title and all, so when I heard he was touring Melbourne I jumped at the chance to see him live. Besides, Forum Theatre is probably my favourite music venue in Melbourne and it’s always nice to be there again under its fake starry sky.

Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders @ Prince Bandroom

November 30, 2015December 11, 2018yggdrasille

bannerImage3 Checked out this young New Zealander and his band last Friday. Because the venue’s parking was full and I wasted time looking for a street parking that would allow me to use a credit card, I missed out on the opening act. Honestly who’s got $10 in coins in their wallet? But maybe it was a blessing in disguise since I seem to get tired a lot more quickly these days standing at a concert.

New Music 11/2015 – Jack White, Szymon, David Gilmour

November 17, 2015December 3, 2017yggdrasille

Jack White – Lazaretto

Sounds exactly like you’d imagine a Jack White album to sound like at this point, which is no bad thing at all. I’m a huge fan of The White Stripes and his solo output has the same sense of eccentricity and weirdness, which I like a lot. Though his music is arguably less special and idiosyncratic without the simplicity and innocence of Meg White’s drumming, it’s still a fun, genre-blurring mix of blues, funk, folksy strumming and much more, topped off with quirky lyrics.

Laura Marling @ Hamer Hall

October 20, 2015March 23, 2021yggdrasille

Laura_Marling_NEW650x370 Saw Laura Marling at the beautiful Hamer Hall yesterday – she performed as part of the Melbourne Festival. Monday night is a weird night for a concert, but then a break in the routine is always nice.