End Your Week with the Best n Worst in New Music

First up some album reviews:

I thought Expatriate had split up and disbanded a long time ago, I thought they had vanished like so many classic indie Aussie acts who have that one killer track and then boom they are gone, but no Expatriate are back with a new disc which just dropped. There debut disc was released in 2007 so it's been a long time between drinks but are there fans still loyal and read to have a drink with Expatriate?

The opening three tunes "Miracle Mile", "By Design" & "Dangerous Stranger" are totally promising and enjoyable, they have all the indie cred and a great full guitar sound.

"Love Away" is a catchy little ditty that could just get stuck in your head and would totally make a wicked driving tune along a long Australian freeway, you can also hear evidence they worked with the same producer who has also lent a hand to PNAU and the Killers, yes Mr Andy Savours.

After reading multiple entries and other reviews about them I learnt they have spent a lot of time OS and with UK group Placebo so there band name kind of explains there absence from Australian radio/media.

"Easier" is a haunting, longer tune that feels like someone has been listening to a little bit too much Nick Cave, while "On The Inside" increases the tempo back up again and reminds me of their earlier material, there is also parts that make me feel like I'm listening to an old school Placebo tune.

"Skool" & "Kunstkopf" are great little pub Oz rock tunes you could imagine having a beer to at the old Annandale. "World To End With You" is a sweeping almost U2 sounding rock ballad, giving the Australian band a very international to their latest set. So the verdict, rock isn't my favourite genre but listening to this on a cold winters morning was exciting, the thoughts of live music festivals approaching, sweat, sun and fun, "Hyper/Hearts" breaks no new ground but it's nice to have the boys from Expatriate back. Well done solid set.

You can buy Expatriate Hyper/Hears online at Getmusic

2012 has seen many exciting new artists emerge, some Australian and some international acts have really turned it up in 2012. Unfortunately Darren Percival is not one of those. Now my music tastes sway a little more towards the dance/indie/pop scene and these rehashed unoriginal set of songs really failed to impress.


After listening to fellow contestants albums, De Bono and Leahcar this one was more listenable than Leahcars, slightly more consistent than De Bono's but I still wonder who will be interested in Darren Percival at the end of 2013. The thing about the Voice airing so early on in the year and not getting a Christmas album release meant the show is already at the back of most peoples minds come the biggest time of the year to buy music (yes people still buy music and don't only rely on the torrents) at Christmas.

By doing this these Voice "albums" (I use the term album loosely as they are 10 track, 30 minute cover albums really) will more than likely be $9.99 in a bargain bin at some far corner of the JB Hi Fi store. I know people may find this a negative view of the mass TV produced artists but it's reality, we only have to look at the Anthony Callea's, Casey Donovan's, Altiyan Childs & the Reece Mastin's of the world.

So back to Darren Percival, I really wish him the best he seems like a nice bloke but in 2012 is there room for Michael Buble number 407?

Buy Darren’s Percival’s Happy Home online at Getmusic .

Now TZU are back and going Dub-STEP, WTF?



Mumford and Sons are back with this killer folk jam:



Rudimental the "Feel the Love" guys have dropped "Spoons":



Muse are proving they are just becoming pure shit with this tune (if it can even be called a tune):



And finally to get your Friday started!



And last by not least I for one was offended Toni Collette did a CBA (their profit margin was insane this week!) so here is a nice parody:



But don't gamble those almost as soul destroying as advertising one of the big four wanks of Australia.