Gelbison & Faker & Chasm
Posted: June 27, 2003 Filed under: BLOG | Tags: Faker, Gelbison, music, Sydney, sydney music scene Comments OffWritten for Vibewire
@ Hopetoun: If what Faker was attempting to fake was the 80s, they were spot on. They come off like a band from the earlier part of this decade that you somehow missed. From the stripped back lyrics to the guitar action stuck on repeat to the jerky epileptic movements of their lead singer, Faker manage to make the 80s look all so good. And who would have thought? My media player is choc-a-block full of The Cure, The Clash and Depeche Mode thanks to this spate of 80s inspired musical loveliness. Thank god they’ve decided to stick with the 70s rock hair and fashion though.
Speaking of which, Pete from Gelbison is currently attending a look that appears to directly rip off Almost Famous’ StillWater. Gelbison is a wonderful band that has put out a wonderful debut album in 1704. Their sound is mature and distinct armed with songs that are not only well constructed but also incredibly exciting. It is no wonder that they’ve been receiving glowing reviews left, right and center.
In their one hour set Gelbison manage to try their hand at folk-based pop, power rock and synth-induced 80s new wave, sometimes all within the one song (‘Metal Detector’ case in point). They achieve a fine balance between guitars, drum, voice and the keys that had a few nice effects to boot. The band doesn’t function as just backing for what is being sung; instead each piece is utilized to its full potential in equal importance.
Their best songs are slower than slow (and there are quite a few). They slide from each progression so subtly that you swear you weren’t moving at all, but by the end of the song when you finally break out of your reverie you realize they’d taken you to a beautiful place, and eagerly await the next song to take you somewhere as beautiful. Like Decoder Ring which played at the Annandale not so long ago, Gelbison are interested in exploring where songs can go, and take you the audience
M. WARD & OLLIE BROWN
Posted: June 21, 2003 Filed under: BLOG | Tags: M. Ward, music, Ollie Brown, Sydney, sydney music scene Comments Off@ Hopetoun: A dosage of heart-warming folk acoustic was exactly what the doctor ordered on this cold Saturday night. Intimate, little Hopetoun was packed with fans waiting for Portland (US) based songwriter M. Ward. But first, minus his band Art of Fighting, Ollie Brown headed up with nothing but his strumming guitar and earnest self. All of his songs have a similar quality: a lilting gentility that strains with yearning and desperation.
M. Ward has the appearance of a nineteen-year-old boy with the smoky voice of a ninety-year-old man (although he’s somewhere in between). His songs speak of heartbreak and nostalgia, at times whimsical and yet timeless. His mix of classic American country, blues and folk transports you to a dark, musty saloon or around a crackling fire in the Old West. And it must be said that his manipulation of the harmonica and guitar is nothing short of impressive.
DAVID LANE & ABBY DOBSON & J. WALKER
Posted: June 6, 2003 Filed under: BLOG | Tags: Abby Dobson, David Lane, J Walker, music, Sydney, sydney music scene Comments Off@ Metro: With the recent release of his third album, 11 reasons to sing, Friday night at the Metro was David Lane’s. Over the past decade or so, David has built a strong following and the crowd was filled with avid Lane fans. After Abby Dobson and Jay Walker’s enjoyable supporting performances, David Lane stepped up to showcase his range of delicately handcrafted pop and folk tunes.
The beauty of David’s music comes from its accessibility. It doesn’t strain with a desperate need to impress. Instead he gently lays himself out before you with quiet sincerity, and leaves it to you to enjoy the music, which you inevitably find yourself doing. Such heartfelt honesty eases you from melancholy, moving ballads to catchy pop, like his song Superstar. A good night.
