Article #4 in the Best and Worst Music of 2006 series
Australian music has little to prove to the outside world any more. While Australian pop artists have long done well overseas, increasingly our alternative, independant artists are gaining coverage as well. Here are my favourite five Australian releases of the year. Two of the albums listed are debuts, indicating the diversity and activity in the indie music scene.
5. The Hard Road (Hilltop Hoods)
The Hilltop Hoods, a pioneering South Australian hip-hop crew released a highly polished album. This is true blue hip-hop: Australian accents and rhymes about local issues. Slightly disappointing is the popular single Clown Prince with its cheap themes and self-aggrandising lyrics.
4. Moo, You Bloody Choir (Augie March)
Augie March’s style of country rock, coupled with Glenn Richards’ beautifully poetic lyrics is at its best ever in this release. Sometimes tracks can be a little meandering, drifting along in a musically boring way just to provide a backing for the lyrics. When the music, singing and lyrics are all pulling their weight, such as the brilliant One Crowded Hour (listen) it’s to wonderful effect.
3. Between Last Night and Us (The Audreys)
Also hailing from the ‘Hoods home town of Adelaide, The Audreys this year released their debut country/folk/roots-flavoured album. Taasha Coates’ delicate voice is layered over minimal – but effective – instrumentation. Choice tracks are You & Steve McQueen (hear a sample), which has received a bit of radio airplay and Come On In.
2. Desert Lights (Something for Kate)
After the disappointing The Official Fiction (2003), popular Melbourne rock outfit Something for Kate are back to form with this album. Widely popular in Australia SFK gets airplay from alternative and mainstream radio stations, helping the album get #1. While not breaking any new ground, Desert Lights is a comprehensive rock album.
1. Gravity Won’t Get You High (The Grates)
While they may initially come across as a Brisbane Yeah Yeah Yeahs knock-off, The Grates are a different thing altogether. The music is rocking, fun, catchy and light and while it may not have much depth to it, it is a great listen nonetheless. For a debut album without a large label behind them it’s remarkably solid too, with little filler.
Article #4 in the Best and Worst Music of 2006 series
