New music

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This article was published 14/09/2017 (3264 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

POP / ROCK

Comeback Kid
Outsider(New Damage/Nuclear Blast)

“We wrote for our live show,” Comeback Kid singer Andrew Neufeld recently told Exclaim!, explaining the thought process behind the songs on the band’s new album, Outsider, which was released Sept. 8.

If that’s indeed the case, then CBK’s Sept. 26 homecoming gig at the Park Theatre will be a sweaty, feel-good affair, fuelled by relentlessly dual guitars, chunky bottom end, thundering drums and Neufeld’s raw-throated roar.

The essence and attraction of CBK is found in the band’s high wire balancing act between being hardcore screamers and melodic punks. Neufeld has copped to being the more melodic of the band’s two main songwriters, while guitarist Jeremy Hiebert loves to thrash and over the band’s 15 years the founding duo has found the perfect mix of the two, combining the buzzsaw energy of hardcore with the soaring choruses and call-and-response crowd interaction that always get the kids singing along. And now that guitarist Stu Ross is adding his two cents, every single one of Outsider’s songs is a mini-epic, full of ringing guitars, breakneck turnarounds, unexpected stops and starts and effervescent emotion. Play this loud enough and you’ll be wrung out by album’s end.

Keep an ear out, too, for a guest vocal appearance by Devin Townsend on Absolute, and the unmistakable throaty chops of Northcote on album closer Moment in Time.

Stream these: Absolute; Hell of a Scene; Somewhere, Somehow; Throw that Stone.

★★★★ out of five

– John Kendle

 

 

ROOTS / COUNTRY

King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard
Sketches Of Brunswick East(ATO Records)

Melbourne, Australia’s Geelong Cosmonauts are now three albums through their promised quintet of releases for 2017. The octet’s ability to come up with coherent musical ideas for its almost continuous output borders on implausible, yet with Sketches of Brunswick East the musicians again prove their value as a creative force.

Focusing less on their customary progressive-rock-meets-Aussie-weed head brand of Euro space music, this time King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard dial back the edge and provide a dreamy soundtrack to hanging out in their favourite neighbourhood in Melbourne. To fully accomplish this the band collaborated with Mild High Club, the Los Angeles based psychedelic-jazz troupe led by Alex Brettin.

The collection of songs here toddles along in a most lovely fashion and is linked by a reccurring musical theme of a short stream of notes that provide a kind of thematic anchor to the trip the listener is taken on. And what an adventure it proves to be. The smooth-as-buttermilk soul jazz of tracks such as Countdown and The Spider And Me sit comfortably alongside more out-there excursions such as Tezeta and the wistful Sketches of Brunswick East II.

Drifting flute work is carried along by melodious bass guitar and then fitted out with a plethora of outdoor sounds such as birds and crickets chirping and car horns honking. As the album progresses you are drawn deeper and deeper into its charmingly emotive tow — and at less than 40 minutes running time, it solicits repeated listening if only to check if you missed anything cool. As a whole, these sketches paint a colorful picture of life in the slow lane.

Stream these: Dawn To Dusk On Lygon St.; Cranes, Planes, Migraines

★★★1/2 out of five

— Jeff Monk

 

JAZZ

Fred Hersch
Open Book(Palmetto – 2017)

In many ways this is an extraordinary album. Solo piano albums aren’t rare and there are fine examples in the jazz world, but Hersch sets the bar very high with Open Book.

It has been noted over the years that there have perhaps been two parts to Hersch’s career – before and after his literal brush with death. The jazz world held its breath a few years ago as Hersch lay in a coma for several months, near death, in relation to his fight with AIDS.

Since his recovery his music seems to have an added intensity and personal edge, and this album confirms his place in the top tier of a fairly extensive list of excellent jazz pianists. From the lush beauty of The Orb and Some Other Time, to cheerful and spritely tracks, this is creative jazz that leaves it all on the field, as they say.

Hersch’s music, especially since his recovery, also seems to have a desire to say what he needs to say in his recognition of the fragility of life. The longest track on the album (Through The Forest) is about 19 minutes and already has been called a masterpiece of extended improvisational beauty. If jazz piano and intimate creative music appeals to you, this album will give you much pleasure.

Download: Some Other Time, Through The Forest

★★★★★ out of five

— Keith Black

 

CLASSICAL

Friar Alessandro
Songs From Assisi (Decca Records)

Back by popular demand, everyone’s favourite singing friar returns with this newer release featuring 19 selections recorded in a cathedral in Assisi, Italy, and sung with heartfelt devotion.

The concert version of this album also appeared on BBC, as further testament to Friar Alessandro’s enduring appeal. As arguably pop music for the masses, there is no denying the friar’s sincerity expressed through his melodious tenor as he treats listeners to such perennial favourites as Panis Angelicus and, as expected, Ave Maria.

He clearly is in his natural element with the Latin works, including Ave Verum Corpus and Pater Noster. But his Italian choices also please the ear, with his buttery-smooth often-operatic vocals soaring up to heaven itself, in Aria Da Chiesa and Fratello Sole Sorella Luna. One of the album’s more intriguing offerings is the Kyrie, underpinned by solemn hand drums beating like a heart. Not so compelling are the relatively few English selections, including Here I Am, Lord or Make Me a Channel of Your Peace, although it’s nearly impossible to slag Amazing Grace. Still, those in need of a break from the maddening world should enjoy this momentary, fleeting respite from all its cares and woes.

★★★ out of five

— Holly Harris