LABEL: AIR AUSTRALIA - AIR5
OVERALL: 85%
Produced by: Nick Barker
OVERALL: 85%
Produced by: Nick Barker
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LABEL: AIR AUSTRALIA - AIR5 OVERALL: 85% Produced by: Nick Barker | ||||
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Nick Barker has had a fairly colorful career, with a few band changes, hit records, back to solo (sort of) and then labelless... Like many stars of almost stars, Nick found himself on the outer and recorded and financed this album himself. And it has to be said he has done a pretty cool job of it. This album was produced and played mainly by Nick with the help of a couple of old friends from the Reptiles days and then released through independent label AIR Records. The album is a return to Barkers roots. Very raw, almost totally live and a really good vibe to it. His last album was more 90's grunge rock with really didn't suit the guy. Too heavy and overly distorted and over produced. There is no big production job here, but a great sound nevertheless. Guitar driven rock with a blues influence, hard edged with a hint of sleeze. | ||
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The album is a mix of uptempo full band numbers and more stripped back rootsy rock songs. All with that unmistakable drawl of Barker's voice. Certainly less cheesy than albums like After The Show (which I love!) and more consistent that his last album Damn Mermaids. It is also quite diverse, from the slow blues rock of Hole to the hard rockers Tyhylacine, Machine & Sanctuary to the country tinged Up And Away Out. Other tracks have that more laid back blues feel, like the opening track Hole and the title track. In fact, after half a dozen listens, I now think it could be one of his best, if not THE best album of his career. Honest, raw, in places rocking, in others reflective and more acoustic driven, but always great songs. If you have any one of Barker's other albums, this should be added to your collection. Awesome. | PRODUCTION: 74% | SONGS: 88% | VIBE: 86% | ATTITUDE: 85% | ESSENTIAL FOR: Blues rock fans, Australian pub rock fans. All Nick Barker fans. |
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DISCOGRAPHY: Going To Pieces . After The Show . Happy Man . Damn Mermaids . Annie Get Your Guru
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