Abbe May and The Rockin Pneumonia
Hawaiian Disease
Independent/MGM
A special limited edition EP from Perth’s own blues-rock siren, Abbe May, and her band. It’s a taste of what’s to come from their forthcoming album Sexorcism, due out later this year. Six tracks of ballsy, blues infused rock with an eccentric twist that is a fine showcase of May’s powerfully sexy vocals and her band’s equally as powerful, and sometimes quirky, accompaniment. The title track has a distinct Concrete Blonde vibe about it and there is a great cover version of the Tom Waits classic Jesus Gonna Be Here. – Nat Ripepi
The Black Eyed Peas
The End
Universal
Reinvention is one huge step for any hip hop act, but when it is the much-trumpeted band, The Black Eyed Peas, this becomes an even bigger step. Their fifth studio album, The End (which stands for the Energy Never Dies) is clearly way off the scale in comparison with their previous efforts. With mismatched lyric lines, over-morphed melody and way too much studio wizardry, the magic that once was has now evaporated. No doubt this album will sell well as the opening dance track Boom Boom Pow has been well received on the club circuit. – Terry Larder
Van She
Ze Vemixes
Modular
Sydney’s Van She have unveiled their latest double album, a remix album combined with the original V from last year. The Modular-signed outfit are renowned for their Van She Tech side project, a moniker which they have adopted to remix the likes of Utah Saints, The Presets, Ladyhawke, Klaxxons and Tiga. Rather than being a typical remix album, Ze Vemixes features Van She Tech remixes of six tracks from Van She’s V album, as well as one live track and one previously unreleased original. Expect crunchy analogue synths and 909 beats to dominate throughout, resulting in good natured, shoegazey electro-house. – Stuart Miles
Manic Street Preachers
Journal for Plague Lovers
Sony
Welcome to the Preachers’ ninth studio album featuring lyrics by songwriter and guitarist Richey Edwards. The record waxes lyrical on topics that are seemingly beyond comprehension which makes sense when you look into what become of Richey…wherever he may be. Peeled Apples is a great opener, Jackie Collins Existential Question Time simply rocks (and makes more sense when you hear the lyrics “If a married man fucks a Catholic and his wife dies without knowing does that make him ‘unfaithful people?’â€). Haunting and sinister – Richey probably wanted it that way. – Brett Dias
John Michael Swinbank
Bitter Sweet & Twisted
Silver Celebration
Swinbank is renowned for this iconic style and has released a CD celebrating Coward’s work, but with modern recording techniques every phrase and intonation is mastered and even more impeccably sharpened. Tim Cunniffe’s piano playing is sublime and never over frilly allowing Swinbank’s voice to soar, which he does so well in Matelot and Don’t put your daughter on the stage, Mrs Worthington. It’s maybe time to don the white dinner smoking jacket and to listen to nostalgia at its best! – Terry Larder
Fat Freddys Drop
Dr. Boondigga & The Big BW
The Drop/Inertia
The new album from the seven piece New Zealand outfit known for their awesome live shows keeps close to the formula of 2005’s Based on A True Story. Again it’s a mixture of dub, jazz, electronics and reggae with a whole lotta funk & soul. Smooth as silk vocals, classy brass, chilled out beats and blips, it’s groovy and soulful in equal measures with songs that slowly evolve and grow on you with each listen. Great for a chilled night in with friends. – Nat Ripepi
Miike Snow
Miike Snow
Inertia
Ah Sweden… such a beautiful country making such beautiful music. Miike Snow are their latest offering and the sounds are just dreamy. They merge between edgy and contemporary pop, their accents robust, their use of language playful and their overall sound catchy. Highlight includes the poetic and poignant Burial, a track that confronts death with the lightheartedness of life, throwing lashings of beautiful chords at the mournful topic. Overall, this album is concise and ambient yet conventional enough to still be terribly catchy. Make that terribly, terribly catchy. – Scott-Patrick Mitchell
