Some CD Reviews

REGULAR JOHN
The Peaceful Atom Is A Bomb
(Difrnt/Universal)
8/10
There is nothing regular about these guys at all. Ok, maybe their name, but everything else on this album is extraordinary. From the twisted guitar riff of the opening track to the last chord, ‘The Peaceful Atom Is A Bomb’ takes over your soul with hard hitting, grungy, psychedelic rock. ‘Language’ has been played to death on some radio stations but listeners shouldn’t be too quick to pigeon hole a band into a genre from one single. Every track is different from the next. ‘We spell love’ emanates a ‘Hives’ sounding vibe whilst ‘Panic’, the softest song on the album shows that the band can channel some White Stripes, style of rock as well. The albums versatility gives it an appeal to all kinds of cats. Maybe even your old man can handle this one and stop listening to Andre Reiu for a while. The themes covered in the lyrics aren’t your average ‘I love you, I hate you’ banter. Some anti establishment, free speech, social commentary hits your ears in the form of the words ‘Fuck You’ in the track ‘Hivey’. It seems that underneath the rock and roll Regular John have really thought about their message. (Viv)

THE TEMPER TRAP
Conditions
(Liberation)
10/10
For me this year, there has been no album anticipated as much as this one. Ever since the sweet pulsating rhythms of ‘Sweet Disposition’ hit my ears I have been yearning for more sounds from The Temper Trap. It’s finally here and the band are going to take over the world with their debut. It turns out that The Temper Trap’s singles ‘Sweet Disposition’ and ‘Science of Fear’ are only the start of a magical journey that takes place when this CD is played. Dougie Mandagi’s unworldly voice provides the some of the best falsetto to come out of Australian music in the last decade. One of the best demonstrations is ‘Resurrection’ which provides some beautiful accapella work by Mandagi. It’s clear that the band have influences from all genres with pulsating drums channelling drum and bass, horns giving off a jazz vibe and even choirs adding to the mix in ‘Down River’. The band are playing almost every European festival on the books. Let’s hope that their London bound touring schedule doesn’t see them lost overseas forever. Australian music just doesn’t get better than this. (Viv)

CHAIRLIFT
Does You Inspire You
(Sony)
7/10
Every time ‘Bruises’ touches my ears, I feel like bopping up and down in a stupor. Not just because their song was used on an ad for IPod nano but because listening to Chairlift just does crazy things to a person’s ego, persona and attitude. There’s no doubt that their cute Indie/Shoegazing tunes don’t just sell small electronic music players but they will also capture your heart. In addition to ‘Bruises’ highlights include ‘Evident Utensil’ and ‘Le flying saucer hat’ which sees singer Caroline Polachek combining French with English in a song about, you guessed it, a flying saucer hat. The bands use of synths and tambourines are innovative but a little bit predictable and the lyrics of some of the songs can have you questioning the sanity of the band a little but overall, it’s definitely worth a listen. Just don’t listen to them on your new IPod nano. That would be a little too freaky. (Viv)

ART VS SCIENCE
Art Vs Science
(Green Distribution)
7/10
This EP has been long awaited from the Art vs Science boys ever since they won the spot to play at Splendour In the Grass last year. But they have finally produced a killer little disc, worthy of dancing your ass off to. The latest single off the record is ‘Parlez Vous Francais?’ (Which translates into ‘Do you speak French?’ for all you monolingual types). Its cheeky French lyrics combined with some bangin’ beats provide the perfect mix of sexy, provocative dance. ‘Hollywood’ is also a winner, showing that these kids have a darker dancy side to them by playing some minor chords with equally haunting synth effects. But the winner on this album is the song that made Art vs Science. ‘Flippers’ is such a crack up with its lyrics and quirky sounds. The urge it gives the listener to flail about in a state of musically drunk unconsciousness is incredible. Keep it coming lads. (Viv)