Old Man River - Trust

YOURZ

Phew, after the hard-as rush of Mastodon yesterday, Old Man River is like stepping outside a packed, hot, sweaty venue into the air of a cool summer evening. 

Yet another associate of one of our favourites, Luke Steele, Old Man River is the stage and band name for Ohad Rein, a Sydney-based musician who first came to our attention through his association with Nations By The River, who we've previously reviewed here. 

Crossing the line between pop and alt-country, Old Man River aren't trying to rewrite the popular music songbook.  Instead, they're bringing a sensitivity and timelessness to what is often times a tired genre.  It helps that Rein has a effortlessly pleasing voice and the ability to write tracks that stick in this listener's head for days. 

And thanks to some quick thinking by Mine, it looks as though we'll be seeing him live later in the month.  What a lovely way to start what looks to be a very busy few months for us on the live music front. (Mine says: always the way in the southern hemisphere summer, but who's complaining? Gorillaz here we come!!!)

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

Another in our seemingly-endless selection of "beautiful music" - which has prompted me to create a playlist for the iPod.  Sleepy Jackson, M Ward, Nations By The River, Elliot Smith, Martin Craft - who else?  I could go for days just listening to one gorgeous, dreamy pop song after another.  My life would float by in a haze of roses and light.  Soma for the ears.

I wonder how long I'd last before the need for some serious dirty rock emerged.  And will this output sometime in the future make its way on to a "beautiful music" radio station?  Does this mean I'm listening to the equivalent of Simon and Garfunkel?  (YourZ sez: no, this is better in so many ways)  Do I know what I'm talking about?

Whatever I mean, I'm glad we have this CD.  Long live dreamy pop.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

For more information: http://trustomr.com/

Nations By The River - Holes In The Valley

YOURZ

Reportedly formed in a carpark while waiting to see if some lost car keys could be found, Nations By The River combines some of the best independent Australian talent and some of our personal favourite artists, including Luke Steele of Sleepy Jackson and Empire Of The Sun and who now tops the mentions in this blog for any Australian artist, the Kahn brothers from Gelbison and Ohad Rein from Old Man River. Various guests also make appearances, including another personal favourite, Sarah Blasko.

We saw Nations when they supported Gomez a few years ago.  They started their set as wandering minstrels, walking out onto the floor of the Metro Theatre, singing and playing to the stunned punters.  The ensuing set won both Mine and YourZ (truly) over very quickly.  That we got to see them with our favourite English lads only made the gig all the more memorable.

Holes In The Valley was recorded very quickly, over three days, during breaks from busy touring schedules.  But this only adds to the charm and, if anything, the lack of production pretence suits this set of stripped back songs, instead giving it something more akin to a folk record of bygone years.  But this is not pastiche.  This is a celebration of great song writing and is a truly joyous record to hear.

While the careers of the various players have taken twists and turns, Holes In The Valley will always remain a testament to a friendship forged in a common love of pop music.  I just hope the friendship continues in the future.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

So this band came into our collection, as YourZ says, because we saw them supporting Gomez a few years ago.  This is a major departure for me and I do have to thank my husband for it.  You see, in my previous band-watching career, I've rarely arrived to see the support act, usually only making the effort if I knew and liked them.

But YourZ has made me realise, if I like the headline band enough to see them, chances are I'll enjoy the band they've chosen to support them.  And if they're less than impressive, well, the bar's not far away!

I guess this is the last of Luke Steele - given that we've done The Sleepy Jackson and Empire of the Sun... is that it?  Makes me a little sad.  I wonder what he'll do next.  But anyhow, this glorious sound is one I can heartily recommend to anyone who likes their harmonies close, their melodies sweet and uplifting, and a sound that approaches the symphonic. 

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

For more information go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nations_by_the_River

Gelbison - See The World

YOURZ

Gelbison, named after a mountain in Italy (or so I'm led to believe) were a Sydney-based band who released two well-received albums before calling it a day.  In reality, the name was only ever a vehicle for songwriting brothers Edo and Nadav Kahn, who now front a band called, appropriately, Kahn Brothers.

Mine and YourZ (truly) came to Gelbison in a roundabout fashion, having first heard of the brothers through their involvement in a band we've yet to review here, Nations By The River.  This band also features Luke Steele of The Sleepy Jackson (and yesterday's Empire Of The Sun) and Sarah Blasko, who we've reviewed here and here.  The album was produced by Ian Ball, of Gomez, one of our very favourite bands and who we've also reviewed here.  So, really, there wasn't much doubt we were going to love this album.  But this doesn't account for the fact it has languished in our collection, forgotten for so long.

See The World is an absolute listening pleasure and not only includes appearances by the aforementioned Australian indie luminaries, but also from Ben Lee and Ohad Rein (Old Man River) among others.  There are definite overtones of Ball's day band, but this similarity is more due to the strength of the song writing and the smart production.  Instead of singling out any particular songs, I'm just gonna simply say listen to this record.  It is truly a Forgotten Gem.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

Oh, I have to agree... and then I don't.  You see, while the songwriting is terrific - love the jangly guitar-pop - and the arrangement and production only serve to highlight how truly beautiful the songs are, that can't be said for the singing.  Not on all the songs, I hasten to add, but on most of them.  That lead vocal has the whiny slacker/stoner indie-band inflection I just can't stand.  And it's not that Edo Kahn can't sing, I can hear him actually singing in parts, it's that he chooses to barely push the notes out in a monotone during the verses and then suddenly remembers how to sing in the choruses.

I loved this album.  And I hated listening to it.  I'm confused. 

VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN

For more information: http://www.myspace.com/gelbison