| Title: | Reanimation |
| Band: | Bill Retoff (USA) |
| Label: | Pop The Balloon Records |
| Released: | 1999 |
| Highlights: | The Rain In Your Eyes
Loose Change
Goddess Thru An Empty Glass
Transparent Man
Magic Smile |
| Rating: | 7.5/10
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A couple of years ago, Bill Retoff became seriously ill and came as close to death as is
possible without actually dying. You could say that part of his rehabilitation involved
recording this album, Reanimation, which not only contains a certain poignant and
heartfelt quality but also highlights his enthusiasm for life. Of course, it helps that
Bill has an uncanny ability to pen pop masterpieces, like the Beatlish psychedelia of
Goddess Thru An Empty Glass, the Kinkish Transparent Man or the sad folk-rock of Rain In
Your Eyes. His songs have the same charm and innocence that still makes a lot of 60's
music so enjoyable to listen to. My only complaint is that the dated 80's production
values stop Reanimation from having as big an impact as it could. Nevertheless, if you're
prepared to sit down and have a really good listen, Reanimation is a rewarding listen.
| Title: | Where Were You When The Lights Went Out |
| Band: | Retoff, McKenzie, Butler & Pierce (USA) |
| Label: | Pop The Balloon Records |
| Released: | 1998 |
| Highlights: | Your Kind Of Love
Cool My Jets
Positive Thing
She's Driving Me Mod |
| Rating: | 8.5/10
|
Where Were You... When The Lights Went Out! is a compilation of all this band's previous
releases, which until now were virtually unknown and only available on cassette. Although
they look like a bad country band (check out the mullet on lead singer Dan McKenzie),
Retoff, McKenzie, Butler and Pierce play beautiful, grass roots pop that owes a lot to
The Byrds, Beatles, Big Star, DB?s and Long Ryders. Bad haircuts aside, Dan McKenzie has
a wonderful voice that gives these songs a special charm, as does the simple recording.
It took me a couple of listens to fully appreciate this album but once I did I fell in
love with it. It's a shame that the dull artwork is likely to turn many people away from
so many upbeat, touching and timeless songs. Nevertheless, all kudos should go to Pop The
Balloon Records for taking the opportunity to bring the songs of Retoff, McKenzie, Butler
and Pierce to a wider audience.
| Title: | Welcome Aboard The 3C10 |
| Band: | Rocket Science |
| Label: | Modular Records |
| Released: | 2000 |
| Highlights: | Burn In Hell
Six Foot Four
Jet Lag: Down The Pills
Moscow To Kamchatka
Welcome Aboard The 3C10 |
| Rating: | 8.5/10
|
Melbourne four piece Rocket Science have been touted as the most unlikely next big thing.
However, that's not to say that they aren't any good. On the contrary, Rocket Science are
one the best new Australian bands around. It's just that this type of music doesn't often
get this much exposure. Rocket Science are a strong combination of 60's garage and
spaceage music with the added panache of the John Spencer Blues Explosion. Although the
main focus of the band is on the crazy organ and freaked out therimen of lead singer
Roman Tucker, Rocket Science are very tight outfit with the brilliant drumming of Kit
Warhurst and the understated guitar of Paul Mabury integral to the band's unique sound. A
mixture of actual songs and instrumentals, Welcome Aboard The 3C10 is a strong album from
start to finish, justifying the hype that has accompanied the band and this album's
release.
| Title: | Contact High |
| Band: | Rocket Science |
| Label: | Modular Records |
| Released: | 2002 |
| Highlights: | Heavy Traffic
Going Away
One Robot
Open Air Channel
Tomorrow's Soundtrack For Today's Swinging Generation |
| Rating: | 9/10
|
After the unexpected success of their debut, Welcome Aboard The 3C10, Rocket Science have
returned with their highly anticipated second album, Contact High, which sees the band
not only exploring more psychedelic & spaced out themes but also refining their
songwriting. The resulting album may be a hard listen at times but in the end a rewarding
one as one realises that the arrangements are well thought out and there is more
emphasis given to the overall mood and atmosphere. Rocket Science haven't completely left
their garage punk roots behind (in fact some songs like crazy are more abrasive than
anything on their debut) but Contact High proves they're definitely not afraid to blast
off and explore new areas.
| Title: | Rollercoaster |
| Band: | Rollercoaster |
| Label: | Snap! Records |
| Released: | 2000 |
| Highlights: | Flowers For Kylie
Insane
Use Me
Do You Remember |
| Rating: | 7/10
|
Rollercoaster were what you might have called a Perth power pop supergroup that featured
the talents of Duane Smith (The Chevelles), Dave Shaw (The Stems), Grant Ferstat (Flavour
Of The Month, A Month Of Sundays) and Craig Maclean (Superscope). Their one and only self
titled album was recorded sometime near the end of 1997 and only released in Spain, where
this type of music seems to have a cult following.
The songwriting and singing alternates between guitarist Smith and bassist Maclean, who
have quite distinctive and contrasting voices. I have to say that Duane's songs are
consistently better although Craig contributes several great songs (Insane and Do You
Remember) in his own write. It's a shame that he lets himself down by also including
several quite average songs, especially Tartan Dress, which is terrible 80's oz rock.
Subsequently, while there are some great moments on this album, there is too much filler
to rate it any higher and the band probably would have been better off releasing a mini
album instead. Nevertheless, anyone interested in Australian power pop bands, like The
Chevelles and Jack & The Beanstalk, will still get a lot of enjoyment out of this album.
| Title: | A Wishing Well |
| Band: | The Rooks (USA) |
| Label: | Not Lame Records |
| Released: | 2000 |
| Highlights: | In The Neighborhood
Trip
I'm Not A Joker
Happenstance
Some And Others |
| Rating: | 10/10
|
It took The Rooks seemingly forever to record A Wishing Well, with the band not only
having to endure endless delays during its creation but also personal tragedy. As often is
the case with great artists, their best work is often made under great duress and The
Rooks are no different. The Wishing Well is not only their finest work to date but also
one of the finest pop albums of recent years. Not only does Michael Mazzarella write great
songs but is admirably backed up by the sorely under-rated guitarist Kristen Pinell. On
top of this, many of the songs are augmented by a combination of strings and horns, which
add further depth and charm to an already great album. Like a lot of great albums it
doesn't immediately grab you but instead is the type that slowly reveals its charms with
each listen. It wouldn't be unfair to compare A Wishing Well to a cross between Sgt.
Peppers (without the whimsy) and Big Star's #1 Record but at the same time, it still has
it's own charm and place. A mature, wistful and contemplative record, A Wishing Well is
what you might call a psychedelic in the true sense of the word.
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