New sensation

INXS- Kick (1987) ***

Nominated by: Biggie G

Music club: Wander to Wozza's

Playlist addition:  Devil Inside

Back to the eighties for Biggie G's latest selection and it's all a bit of a blur really, the late eighties.

We had two children by 1987 and were just getting used to that, plus disposable income? Ha ha ha!! No chance.

Even if I did have cash for records I would not have bought this album I suspect. It's just not to my taste, and I freely acknowledge that I am in a minority as far as appreciation of INXS goes. Plus - I'm a mass of contradictions - I love a lot of mainstream music, but I didn't go for INXS.

In my head I can divide Aussie rock bands into two basic categories: the have its and the have nots. 'It' being a certain level of authenticity.

Of the old skool bands, Cold Chisel, The Aztecs, Midnight Oil, Vertical Hold, AC DC have it.

INXS lacked that vital ingredient for me, hence me bypassing their undoubted charms. From what I could deduce from the pre internet news media, Michael Hutchence's personality certainly influenced my thoughts in this regard.

They certainly had hits (I can still admire the craft) and the first side of Kick is packed with them. But I sense that there is something contrived about Michael Hutchence et al that leaves me shrugging my shoulders. The song Mediate kind of sums that feel up - a rhyming dictionary and bingo - another song!

My problem entirely, because the band and this album went mega huge.

The hits are justifiable product - catchy, snappy, hook laden, cool Keef Richard inspired guitar riffs, anthemic sounds, Jagger-ish vocals and simplicity (it's a tough ask to craft pop this well so that it appears simple but they accomplish this).

The second side doesn't have the same quality as the first but the sound and those Stones moves are still there in abundance.

Bottom line - I know I'll be in a minority with this one.

Lottery noises

Alvvays - Blue Rev (2022) ****

Nominated by: Tom

Music club: MNAC

MNAC playlist addition:  Velveteen

Alvvays are a new experience for me - a very pleasant one too. Their indie pop sound is easy to enjoy.

Some of the tracks reminded me of The Beths - New Zealand's own indie pop band fronted by a talented female. Velveteen is an example - even down to the vocal inflections. Pomeranian Spinster, After The Earthquake are others. I'm sure they are operating independently but it was sure close. Maybe it's the commonwealth connection - loved those songs anyway.

Aside from that Blue Rev presents a pretty cool dream pop sound. Best songs in that vein are Lottery Noises and Easy On Your Own.

Another clear highlight is Belinda Says, with some lovely distorted guitars and the vocals are superb.

All up - a delightful experience Tom - thanks for the introduction!

BTW Tom Verlaine appears only in the last few lines of that song as a vague presence so nothing to read into that one.

Now you shake

Ray Columbus and The Invaders - Original Numbers (1966) ***

Nominated by: Simmsy

Music club: Wander to Wozza's

Playlist addition:  I'm Finding Out

Mr Simms' instruction is not be hyper critical of this selection so here goes...

Ray and The Invaders were only together for a short time (basically four years from 1962) but they are firmly a key part of NZ music's DNA.

The Invaders included two other giants of the NZ music scene - Billy Kristian and Jimmy Hill and they were a big part of the group's success. But, really, Ray Columbus is the main protagonist here. I've mentioned him before in my Goo Goo G'Joob blog, so I won't labour the point here.

Instead, let's consider their final album together, released in 1966. Kudos for all original material on display. She's a Mod and Till We Kissed were cover versions and huge hits, so it must have been extremely tempting for the savvy Ray to go with another one but he resisted.

So what we have are 28 minutes of NZ's version of American R&B via British R&B (some of the early Invaders singles included covers of Beatle/Stones songs). I'm Finding Out, for instance sounds a tad like The Yardbirds covering a John Lee Hooker song. Yes - it's that good!

No surprise that the band jumped ships to Max Merritt after this album and Ray headed to America for a few years and the successful solo career.

What we are left with is a fun album very much of its time. It's pretty much beyond criticism - Ray's voice is just part of the fabric of my life as a kiwi music fan. He and The Avengers have reached National Treasure status which means they are beyond picky preferences.

There you go Kevvy - how was that me old mucker?

Baloney again

Mark Knopfler - Sailing to Philadelphia (2000) *** 

Nominated by: Big G

Music club: Wander to Wozza's

Playlist addition:  The Last Laugh

Interesting title and cover image. I'm guessing that the modern equivalent of Sailing To Philadelphia is flying. It's a startling image thanks to the cropping of most of the plane. Classy and understated.

That sums up this album actually, and Mark's guitar skills.

Now, cards on the table, aside from their first album and Making Movies, I do not own the huge sellers in the Dire Straits catalogue. 

Why is that, you wonder? Musical snobbery? Maybe a bit. I was a bit contrary back in the day and avoided some bands. I certainly avoided Brothers In Arms - mainly because my brother liked it! GK loved the band from the off and tried to interest me in them in the late seventies but I found other things I liked more.

Partly it's Mark's vocals which don't do it for me. When James Taylor enters on the title track the stark contrast is a shock (same as Van the man). I wished he'd (they'd) sung the whole thing! Mostly I think it's Knopfler's lazy cigarette damaged mumbled drawl delivery - there's not much variation in pitch and words are often very difficult to understand so I tend to lose interest over an album.

Anyway, enough faffing around GK. Let's get to it!

To me, this album sounds like a laid back 2000 Dire Straits' album. In truth there's not much difference between the two as Mark sang and played guitar for Dire Straits and he does the same here. The only difference is that if he'd used the Dire Straits name for this one, he'd have sold a gazillion more copies I suspect.

So, the highlights. Guitar wise - opening track What It Is is sublime! Song wise,  Speedway At Nazareth sounds like an outtake from Making Movies (so, yes, I like it a lot). At six minutes plus it could have stretched out even more and kept me spellbound. Overall, I'll plump for the Van vehicle The Last Laugh. The great man adds a lot to the familiar Knopfler style.

And the lowlights (the Baloney again if you will), and I suspect these are the songs GK and Kevy may like the most: El Macho drifts along pleasantly but it's a tad long; Prairie Wedding, Wanderlust are just another couple of mid paced songs and his voice is too close for my comfort. So a mid album slackening of pace is an issue for me.

Bottom line - a three star rating = pretty fine!