Dukes Of Windsor – ‘It’s A War’

So they made their name thanks to a (vomit) TV Rock remix, but can Dukes of Windsor recreate that success on their own? Hmm…

‘It’s a War’ is the first taste of their new album. Sounds like they’re aiming squarely at the dance market, but it was produced by the same guys that helmed Refused’s seminal hardcore album The Shape of Punk to Come. Can you say “WTF?”

And does anyone else think that Jack Weaving sounds like Korn’s Jonathan Davis? I think it’s his vocals that turn me off a bit, plus their songs never seem to do anything all that exciting. This one’s OK, but doesn’t do all that much for me. Maybe it’ll grow on me the more I listen to it. There’s some nice melodies in parts, but I just wish it packed more of a dancefloor punch.

http://www.dukesofwindsor.com.au
http://www.myspace.com/dukesofwindsor

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The Phoenix Foundation – ‘Bright Grey’

OK, so The Phoenix Foundation have a lot to thank The Flaming Lips for, but seriously, have a listen to their sound album Pegasus and you’ll see this New Zealand six-piece can stand on their own. They’ve been on the receiving end of many plaudits from the music press, released three albums and scored the film Eagle vs Shark. So they’re doing pretty well for themselves.

Their latest record, Happy Ending, follows the Flaming Lips blueprint of pop more closely than their previous efforts, but they do it with a lot less weirdness. There’s a definite throwback to the psychedelica movement in their music, which lends it a sense of ethereality and escapism. Ahhhh……

http://www.thephoenixfoundation.co.nz
http://www.myspace.com/thephoenixfoundationnz

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Trial Kennedy - ‘Neighbours’

Where’ve you been hiding your mad skillz, Trial Kennedy? Lost amongst a sea of post-punk bands and the Boomtown Records sound, this is the first song of theirs that’s really burst out of the speakers; a veritable anthem of a song that rocks from start to finish and never lets you go. I guess that’s what going to Atlanta to record your album does for you. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come.

http://www.myspace.com/trialkennedy

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Man Ray - ‘Catch Me’

MAN RAY should have won the Sydney heat of the Australian V Festival’s ‘Garage to V’ competition. Not that the winners (Cassette Kids) aren’t worthy; it’s just that these guys are a bit worthier. Listen to ‘Catch Me’ from their first two track demo, and try to argue otherwise. Seriously, I’ll wait.

http://www.myspace.com/wearemanray

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Gabriella Cilmi - ‘Sweet About Me’

Here comes the trend shift. Phil Spector and his Wall of Sound, the music of Motown, the jazz of Sarah Vaughan and Nina Simone… these are the starting points for the new musical fad that’s slowly emerging thanks to the likes of Amy Winehouse, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and eager DJs sampling sweet soul music.

Sure, musicians are time-travelling vikings, pillaging decades until there’s nothing left and then zooming off to the next untouched era – but we could be taking lead from worse periods of time (Boy Bands anyone?) Gabriella Cilmi (pronounced “Chill-me”… seriously) is Warner Music’s secret weapon that they’re gonna be hoping rockets into the stratosphere (because labels are struggling, you know). Many will compare her to Amy Winehouse (sans the coke, booze and dawn undies run), which is fair enough, but she was discovered when she was only 13, years before Wino ran head-first onto tabloid mags and Perezhilton.com.

Now sixteen (hello jailbait), Cilmi’s moved from her home town of Melbourne and is basing herself out of London. She’s on tour at the moment with the Sugababes and recently shared the tour bus with Parisian’s Nouvelle Vague. Her debut album, Lessons To Be Learned, will be out later this year but for now, here’s the first song off the record called ‘Sweet About Me’.

http://www.myspace.com/gabriellacilmi

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Happenstance - ‘If I’m Not Mistaken’ (mp3)

We can charge the ’90s for heinous crimes against the pop genre, forever ruining its image. For some. But not for others, like Sydney’s Happenstance, who don’t care whether you like pop or not, because they sure do and aren’t afraid to show it.

But this four piece is far from derivative. Fantastic vocal hooks, smooth, melodic bass lines courtesy of David Grant and subtle attention to detail in ‘If I’m Not Mistaken’ elevates it from being just another bottom-rung, stock-standard pop-rock tune into a fine example of good songwriting. Something bright, anyway, for your Friday!

http://www.happenstance.com.au
http://www.myspace.com/happenstanceband

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New Rules For Boats - ‘Skips On My Record (Part 2)’

Following in the footsteps of The Panics and The Panda Band, Perth’s New Rules For Boats create pop music with a country inflection. After releasing a couple of EPs, this quintet unleashed their debut album Thousands in September of 2007. And as you may have guessed, the jovial ‘Skips On My Record (Part 2)’, laden with rolling drums, constant acoustic guitar strumming and a bevy of vocalists, comes from said record.

http://www.newrulesforboats.com
http://www.myspace.com/newrulesforboats

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Mojo Juju & The Snake Oil Merchants - ‘Transient Being’ (mp3)

We’ve got a proud history of great vaudevillian and gypsy acts in Australia: Monsieur Camembert, The Tango Saloon, Unkle Ho, Waiting For Guinness, Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen… I could go on, but suffice to say, the enigmatic Mojo Juju & The Snake Oil Merchants can stand proudly amongst that ilk.

But who exactly Mojo Juju is is somewhat of a mystery. Much of the legend surrounding Mojo Juju has been summarised on this website. What I know for certain (well, at least I hope so) is that they’re from Newcastle and there’s a lot of Snake Oil Merchants. ‘Transient Being’ comes from their self-titled album, and aside from that I’m not sure of much else… except that this is a great tune.

http://www.myspace.com/mojojujuvoodoo

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Nina May - ‘Crazy/Insane’

Nina May (or, “That band that has the Treasurer’s daughter in it”) have kindly given us the first taste of the new material that they’ve been working on, which will serve as the follow-up to their debut EP Make Love To Your Stereo. Called ‘Crazy/Insane’, it highlights a more mature Nina May, focusing on stronger hooks and tighter song structures.

http://www.myspace.com/ninamaymusic 

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Sugar Army - ‘Now You’re Old Enough’ (mp3)

There’s something instantly likeable about Sugar Army, even before the beat kicks in. ‘Now You’re Old Enough’ is dance-punk played by hard rockers. Ian Berney’s dirty bass line forms the perfect bed in the verses to keep it on the forward beat, then the whole band rock the fuck out in the chorus. Seriously, what’s there not to like here? This is the first song I’ve heard from this WA four piece, and I’m really impressed.

http://www.myspace.com/sugararmybarracks

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