Posts Tagged Self-Titled
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August 5, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The Polly Johnson Set: The Polly Johnson Set
The Polly Johnson Set The Polly Johnson Set (Independent) Following the usual road of EPs first, gigs, finding a following, chasing a dream, Wellington’s The Polly Johnson Set now has a debut full-length album. And it’s a charming set of folk-styled originals that, at its best, winningly combines wry reflection (Plastic Annie) and ribald theatrics (Seventh Daughter). There’s a sea-shanty feel to the […]Archive
May 16, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Peter Doherty & The Puta Madres: Peter Doherty & The Puta Madres
Peter Doherty & The Puta Madres Peter Doherty & The Puta Madres Strap Originals I’ve never really understood the buzz around Pete Doherty – now Peter, since he’s all growsd up. Back when the Libertines were running white-hot lines and turning some of that entitled angst-energy into a post-punk prosody of sorts I was still, at best, […]Archive
March 3, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Rufus Wainwright (March 3, Wgtn)
Rufus Wainright Opera House; Wellington Sunday, March 3 On stage to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of his debut self-tited album and with a follow-on set dedicated to its follow up album, Poses Rufus Wainwright and band delivered a classy show of costume-changes and songs – it was all beautifully performed. It was at the very least a tick-the-box gig that could have only disappointed if you […]Archive
January 5, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 344
Avantdale Bowling Club, Avantdale Bowling Club (2018) I was sold on this on first listen – I’ve liked most of what Tom Scott has done ahead of this project, but this is the one. And in fact when I reviewed the album I talked about it being the local-act album of the year; more than […]Archive
October 20, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Steel House: Steel House
Steel House Steel House ArtistShare Scott Colley (bass), Edward Simon (piano/keys) and Brian Blade (drums) are all master musicians and on their self-titled debut as Steel House they make a set of lithe, loping, languid jazz noises that s are alternately buoyed by Colley’s bass, gliding along under Simon’s strident piano glissandos or pulled into […]Archive
October 16, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Anika Moa: Anika Moa
Anika Moa Anika Moa Diamond & Kowhai Ltd./ Universal Anika Moa is many things – TV host, kids music specialist, sensitive singer/songwriter, total clown, irreverent and indelicate yet there’s heart and soul in her work; huge heart in her as a person too. And that’s clear in her zest, the relish, and she’s always heart-on-sleeve […]Archive
September 3, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 377
Doc Watson, Doc Watson (1964) I’ve been really enjoying this lately – the debut, self-titled album by Doc Watson; one of those guys that is kinda bigger than music – just there always, deep inside the grooves, be it country, folk, blues, gospel. In the post-Oh Brother country music book he got a new wave […]Archive
April 10, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
MIEN: MIEN
MIEN MIEN Rocket Recordings/Southbound MIEN is a modern psych-rock supergroup and the band’s debut, self-titled album lives up to and surpasses any hype. The members are Alex Maas (The Black Angels), Tom Furse (The Horrors), John-Mark Lapham (The Earlies) and Rishi Dhir (Elephant Stone) and through traces of those bands we arrive at a new […]Archive
March 21, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
On: Giving Up Everything
Elton John had it wrong – or rather Bernie Taupin if you prefer. Sad songs are not the ones that say so much – it’s only a special type of sad song; where there’s hope peeking through, where there’s an attempt at stoicism – the head being held high, an aim to move on, an attempt at rebirth or a […]Archive
March 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 44: John Prine – “John Prine”
John Prine – class act. Songwriter’s songwriter. I feel like everyone knows this. Or should. Some don’t – but then they’ll know some of his songs at least. Like Sam Stone, famously covered by many and perhaps in particular Johnny Cash. But the original is here. This is Prine’s first album and I say all […]Archive
January 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman