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

Sarah Blasko - The Overture & The Underscore

YOURZ

The first time I really heard Sarah Blasko was with her work with a great local indie super-group called Nations By The River, whose live show was one of the best local acts I'd seen in a long time. 

I think we went and brought this album on the strength of her performance and because of her wonderfully natuaral voice.  The girl was born to sing to the masses.  But she can also pen a wonderful tune and has a flair for developing intriguing pop gems.  The Overture & The Underscore not only served as a wonderful debut but acted as a benchmark for the indie-pop-folk-tronica (yeah, I know, another bloody category). 

While the more 'mainstream' singles such as Always Worth It and Counting Sheep did well and showed her ability to write a cracking pop song, it was album tracks such as Perfect Now and marvellous opener, All Coming Back, that pointed at a deeper, more considered ability, one that, with hindsight, has become plainly obvious.   

The biggest question to come out of listening to The Overture & The Underscore is why we don't own anything else by her.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

It's so funny looking at the picture of Sarah Blasko on the front of this album, because every time I see her I'm reminded how much she resembles a friend of YourZ's.  But as far as I'm aware, Alex still lives in London and isn't leading a double life as a Sydney singer-songwriter. (YourZ sez: I can confirm this is indeed the case although the resemblance is quite striking).

This is Sarah's debut album and admirably showcases her highly individual voice, which has a slightly raw, breathy fragility while still possessing the strength to draw the listener in.  But despite the gorgeousness of this album, which I have to include in my "removing cranky pants" playlist, it doesn't include my favourite song of hers - a cover.

For those of you who aren't Australian, you may not understand the place legendary pub-rock band Cold Chisel has in our psyche.  Flame Trees is, in my opinion, the best song they ever released, and one night when I was driving home I heard Sarah's version, which was part of the soundtrack for Little Fish, a spectacular Australian film starring Cate Blanchett.  While both versions have their merits, I have to admit I love Sarah's just that little bit more.

Anyway, while this album doesn't have that song on it, it's still a beautiful piece of pop music.  Highly recommended.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

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