This Week's Releases

This week's latest and greatest…

Dan Sultan - Killer (Liberation)

This new album provides another strong platform to show off Dan Sultan's skills. Added to his developing character is a great chorus of backing singers - taking the album dangerously (and wonderfully) close to Motown at times. Opener Drover has been described as a 'prequel' to From Little Things Big Things Grow, a deceptively catchy protest song finally unearthing some of the most important acts of defiance in the country's history. Singles Kingdom and Hold It Together provide a great sense of the album's overall energy and kick, but are by no means the sum of what Sultan can offer. For a change of pace, take in the swoon-iness of Cul-De-Sac and Fire Under Foot. 

"... Almost impossible not to hit 'repeat' on immediately after it's done." - Liz Giuffre - Album Of The Week, four and a half stars.

Shane Nicholson - Love And Blood (Lost Highway/Universal)

The opener and single Safe shares similarities with the reverb-laden guitars, lyrics and cadence of Ryan Adams' recent work. Elsewhere, Nicholson uses po-faced humour in I Don't Dance and the Justin Townes Earle-ish Someone's Gonna Pay and shapes astute relationship tales from common phrases on Bad Apple and One Trick Pony. The aforementioned lack of grit is partially compensated for by the wonderful New Orleans blues stagger and stomp of God's Own Army - infectious, rousing, and sweet relief from the darker and slower songs on the album. Nicholson leaves us with All I Know, a touching song to his child, a heartfelt piece of advice that will ring true for any parent. Love And Blood again showcases Nicholson's mature and consistently strong songwriting, placed right at the junction of country, rock and MOR.

"It all seems to fit perfectly, almost too perfectly and seamless. The best country music shows cracks and the musical dirt beneath the fingernails." - Chris Familton - three and a half stars.

Arcade Fire - Everything Now (Sony)

Arcade Fire blast out an album of infectious pop songs with such irresistible uplift that it is impossible not to take flight and soar sky-high on these feel-good vibes. The anthemic title track is loaded with hooks that drill deep into your head. Everything from the rolling ABBA-esque piano to the pan pipe riff and the glorious hands-in-the-air "na na na" of the chorus will have listeners reaching for the repeat button.

"There is much to fall in love with on this album." - Guido Farnell - four stars.