It's hard to believe that it's taken Kram this long to put out a record under his own name. He's long had a restless creative energy that's seen him take part in numerous side-projects, including the rock & roll super group The Wrights and Hot Rollers, as well as helping propel Spiderbait to a prominent place in the Australian rock canon. With over half a million records sold and an enduring live popularity, Spiderbait is both a natural starting point and a full stop. So while you can naturally hear echoes of Kram's work with Spiderbait, his new album Mix Tape gives him the freedom to explore new perspectives. The instrumental palette is sparse but unexpectedly audacious, while the lyrics have a hitherto unheard focus. "It's a luv and rock n roll record," Kram points out. "I made “Good Love" the first song because that says it all: just me and my girl Ree and our little boy Lonnie. Pretty simple but awesome." With Spiderbait currently on hiatus (although plans are afoot for 21st anniversary activities), Mix Tape is a potent reminder of how Kram has long been a creative force. And now the public's taste for bold, genre-hopping albums has finally caught up with his idiosyncratic outlook. The result, according to Kram, is the soundtrack for a road trip, with each tune moving you down the road and across the musical spectrum. The only problem is that the listener may be tempted to pull over and simply enjoy what they're hearing. If you want more of mix tape then don't miss a chance to view it in full live show mode. Kram is not only a talented musician but an outrageously great performer.
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