Listen Up!

Hey everyone,

Fresh off finishing a string of horrific university work, I bring you the cds that aided me greatly in remaining sane (or as close to it as I get).

Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Good music on a grand scale. You certainly didn't come to whiteboydancefloor to be stunned by such a starling revelation. I'm sure ancestors of Mumford & Sons were aboard the titanic helping Jack Dawson impress the rich chick with a few sing songs ("Winter Winds"). Every song lends itself to soft fragile moments ("The Cave") that give way to momentous stampedes of strings and percussion ("White Blank Page").

To say they aren't brilliant is foolish but for a 22 year old sitting in the Western Suburbs of Sydney, aside from a sideline appreciation, I can't totally emerse myself in a full blown love affair purely based on subject matter. I am your typical ignorant white kid who has enjoyed a sheltered, well supported, very comfortable lifestyle. On face value, these are types of songs that are recited by the soldiers before they defend the motherland or surly sailors fisherman, singing songs in a Portmouth drinking hole ("Little Lion Man" / "Roll Away Your Stone").

So look, I don't drink beer and when it comes to England, I really don't know nothing about anything. But I think aside from the englightened few who search for the deeper intent of these guys, most Aussie kids will flock to fall in love with Mumford & Sons because then they can tell their friends they listen to a band who uses the banjo. A good enough reason given the quality of the album. (3.5 White boys outta 5.)

***

Bridezilla - The First Dance
Anyone who has read my previous posts on Bridezilla will be quite aware of my love for this band. But as we all know, the supreme love of a band can be unceremoniously crushed when a love based on a few live encounters and the odd mp3 changes to that with an album in hand. This is where things can get more intense.

I've often heard people criticise Bridezilla as being dull or boring. To those people, The First Dance will do absolutely nothing to change your mind. But for those who love Bridezilla's string infused intepretation of modern music, this album will do everything to reaffirm what you love about Bridezilla.

It is well known that Bridezilla are highly skilled string musicians and the arrangements are as you would expect, breath taking. While the whailing vocals might lose a few people, I struggle to think of any other vocal that would work in quite the same way without turning this into George.

I think Bridezilla will definitely experience greater success overseas with the album they've delivered. Let's be honest, with such a cultured and refined sound, there just isn't enough upstanding intelligent music listeners in such a small population dominated by Pete Murray fans to fill shows to the size they deserve. None the less, a brilliant debut for a band who did the right thing in doing a few years of solid playing before delving into a full length. Certainly a release that displays more maturity than their years, but I expect even better to come (3 Whiteboys out of 5).

Mp3: Bridezilla - Beaches

***

Finally, new video from Port O'Brien... you know... off the dulux ad!

"My Will is Good" is from the new album Threadbare. I love them and I love the clips they make. Drummer girl is cute as a button!



Expect Cuthbert & Night Walkers review amoung others to follow this week.