This week we review albums by Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, Avenged Sevelfold, and Hunters and Collectors.
Three stars out of five
The nurturing hands of Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and Patrick Sansone are all over this release from husband-and-wife team Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion. Wassaic Way is a pleasant if unremarkable diversion into light rock, complete with comfortably soft edges.
Guthrie (daughter of Arlo and granddaughter of Woody) and Irion largely steer clear of the simpler folk-rock structures of 2005's Exploration, preferring instead to trade lead and support roles and gentle harmonies within the framework of moody and melodic pop songs.
Single download: Chairman Meow
For those who like: New Pornographers, Autumn Defense, Loose Fur
- Jeff Harford
Four stars out of five
When one of the world's biggest metal bands puts aside contemporary trends to pay homage to its heroes, it's worth a listen. The inevitable cries of plagiarism aside, Hail to the King thrusts its triumphant Lucifer's salute in the air and gets down to some serious no-frills foot on the monitor head-bangin'.
Even new recruit Arin Ilejay on drums plays things straight down the line, as his metronomic beats ride atop a veritable feast of tasty riffer-ola. Singing about one ghastly apocalyptic scenario after the next, M Shadows' gravelly lows and piecing highs prowl the stage.
Single Download: Doing Time
For Those Who Like: Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Metallica, Guns N' Roses
- Mark Orton
Three stars out of five
Formed in Melbourne in 1981 (disbanding in 1998), Hunters & Collectors rose above the ranks of a mere pub-rock band by virtue of its blend of guitar grit, brassy hooks and intense live shows.
Crucible presents 15 of the band's best songs, yet the real interest in this double album is in the reworking of the same tracks by a range of artists, including Eddie Vedder, who pairs up with Neil Finn on a largely acoustic Throw Your Arms Around Me. Better still is Birds Of Tokyo's soundscape take on Talking To A Stranger and Oh Mercy's dirty, funked-up version of The Slab.
Single download: Stalking to a Stranger [sic] (The Avalanches)
For those who like: Crowded House on a bender
- Shane Gilchrist
