Australian Pop Of The 70's - Vols.4-6 - Rock Me Gently / Keep On Rockin' / Let It Rock

 

1-1 Sherbet– Rock Me Gently 3:40

1-2 Rick Springfield– Hooky Joe 2:43

1-3 Jon English – Get Your Love Right 3:30

1-4 Allison Gros – Naturally 2:23

1-5 The Bootleg Family Band– Your Mama Don't Dance 3:03

1-6 Mark Holden– Reach Out For The One Who Loves You 2:59

1-7 Vanda & Young– Lazy River 3:35

1-8 Dragon – April Sun In Cuba3:29

1-9 Smacka Fitzgibbon– The Adventures Of Barry McKenzie 3:11

1-10 Ol' 55– Looking For An Echo 3:26

1-11 John Farnham With Allison Durbin– Baby Without You 2:28

1-12 Stevie Wright– Guitar Band 2:28

1-13 Drummond – Daddy Cool 2:41

1-14 Ted Mulry– Marcia 3:15

1-15 Skyhooks– Ego Is Not A Dirty Word 3:00

1-16 Healing Force– Golden Miles 3:25

1-17 Marcia Hines– What I Did For Love (2004 Remaster) 3:20

1-18 Marty Rhone– Star Song 2:51

1-19 Jeff St. John & Copperwine – Teach Me How to Fly 4:08

1-20 Jon Blanchfield– Lucy's Place 3:02

2-1 Hush – Rough Tough 'N' Ready 3:49

2-2 Miss Linda George – Mama' Little Girl 3:40

2-3 Digby Richards– People Call Me County 3:31

2-4 Mi-Sex– But You Don't Care 4:43

2-5 Ronnie Burns– Smiley 3:30

2-6 Hot City Bump Band– Do What You Wanna Do 3:31

2-7 Russell Morris– Sweet Sweet Love 4:29

2-8 Flash & The Pan– Down Among The Dead Men 4:49

2-9 Harry Young And Sabbath– The Wheat In The Field 3:15

2-10 S.C.R.A. – Roly Poly 3:18

2-11 Monalisa & Terry Young – I Wanna Make It With You Tonight 3:39

2-12 Carol Lloyd Band– All The Good Things 4:04

2-13 The Mixtures– The Pushbike Song 2:33

2-14 Greg Anderson – No Roses For Michael 3:54

2-15 Daryl Braithwaite– Cavalry 3:36

2-16 Air Supply– Do What You Wanna Do 3:46

2-17 Ted Mulry Gang– Crazy 3:28

2-18 Troupadours – By The Devil (I Was Tempted) 2:58

2-19 John Paul Young– Keep On Smilin' 3:00

2-20 Robin Jolley– Do You Wanna Boogie 3:16

Rock Me Gently CD1 / Rock Me Gently CD2

1-1 Brian Cadd– Keep On Rockin' 4:39

1-2 Doug Ashdown– Winter In America (Leave Love Enough Alone) 3:18

1-3 Autumn – Yellow River 3:05

1-4 Daryl Braithwaite– Old Sid 3:25

1-5 Ariel – Jamaican Farewell 2:50

1-6 Stars – Back Again 4:13

1-7 Marcie Jones– Gonna Get Married 3:40

1-8 The Strangers – Melanie Makes Me Smile 3:03

1-9 Ray Burton – Too Hard To Handle 2:57

1-10 Johnny O'Keefe– So Tough 2:24

1-11 Fielding & Dyer– The Ghost 3:18

1-12 Ted Mulry Gang– My Little Girl 3:37

1-13 Kevin Johnson – Man Of The 20th Century 4:12

1-14 Russell Morris– Live With Friends 3:40

1-15 Flake – Under The Silent Tree 3:52

1-16 Ol' 55– Stay (While The Night Is Young) 4:08

1-17 Railroad Gin– Do Ya Love Me 3:16

1-18 Ray Burgess– Touch Me 4:27

1-19 Digby Richards– Raincoat In The River 3:02

1-20 John St. Peeters– So Many Ways 3:33

1-21 Stuart & McKay– Hey Billy 2:59

1-22 Finch – Short Changed Again 2:55

2-1 Sherbet– You're All Woman 2:54

2-2 Lotus – Lotus 1 (I'll Be Gone) 3:47

2-3 Doug Parkinson & The Southern Star Band– I'll Be Around 3:18

2-4 William Shakespeare – Just The Way You Are 3:10

2-5 Jon English – Handbags And Gladrags 5:22

2-6 Richard Clapton– Down In The Lucky Country 3:38

2-7 Abigail – Je T'Aime (I Love You) 3:19

2-8 Moscos & Stone– Trouble In The City 3:07

2-9 Mississippi – Kings Of The World 2:31

2-10 Sinclair Bros.– Yesterfool 4:11

2-11 Colleen Hewett– Carry That Weight 2:53

2-12 Mark Holden– I Wanna Make You My Lady 2:41

2-13 The Flying Circus– Turn Away 3:42

2-14 Col Joye– Heaven Is My Woman's Love 2:47

2-15 King Harvest – Wichita Lineman (Introducing By The Time I Get To Phoenix) 4:16

2-16 Supernaut – Too Hot To Touch 4:04

2-17 Samantha Sang– You Keep Me Dancing 2:53

2-18 Gerry & The Joy Band– Ongo Bongo 3:34

2-19 Pat Carroll– All Kinds Of Everything 3:03

2-20 Ronnie Burns– Prophet 4:20

2-21 Renee Geyer– Stares And Whispers 3:25

2-22 Reg Lindsay– Armstrong 2:41

2-23 Rabbit– Too Much Rock 'N' Roll 3:24

Keep On Rockin' CD1 / Keep On Rockin' CD2

1-1 Skyhooks– Let It Rock

1-2 John Paul Young– Yesterday's Hero

1-3 The Musick Express– Jackie's Thing

1-4 Rumour– Play Mama Play

1-5 Daddy Cool – Bom Bom

1-6 Stylus – Work Out Fine

1-7 Shepherd – Birmingham Station

1-8 Ted Mulry– Falling In Love Again

1-9 Emma Hannah– Waiting For The Rain

1-10 Erl Dalby & Pyramid– Can't Wait For September

1-11 Gerry & The Joy Band– Rave On

1-12 The Aztecs – Believe It Just Like Me

1-13 Daryl Braithwaite– Love Has No Pride

1-14 Tony Cole– The Hook

1-15 Marcia Hines– Fire And Rain

1-16 Flake – Life Is Getting Better

1-17 Jamie Dunn– Jamie Come Home

1-18 Normie Rowe– Hello

1-19 Doug Parkinson– Everlasting Love

1-20 Doug Ashdown– The Saddest Song Of All

2-1 Sherbet– So Glad You're Mine

2-2 Renee Geyer– Heading In The Right Direction

2-3 Chain – Judgement

2-4 Carol Lloyd Band– Storm In My Soul

2-5 The Love Story – Neanderthal Man

2-6 Jon English – Words Are Not Enough

2-7 Gary Young With Daddy Cool – Rock 'N Roll Lady

2-8 Ted Mulry Gang– Naturally

2-9 Dave Allenby With Autumn – She Works In A Woman's Way

2-10 The Seekers– Sparrow Song

2-11 Digby Richards– Little Suzuki

2-12 Hush – Nothing Stays The Same Forever

2-13 G. Wayne Thomas– Open Up Your Heart

2-14 Moonlight – The Light

2-15 Kevin Johnson – Over The Hills And Far Away

2-16 Lobby Loyde & The Coloured Balls – Liberate Rock

2-17 Ross Wilson – Living In The Land Of Oz

2-18 Dragon – Are You Old Enough

2-19 Don Lane– We Were Lovers Then

2-20 Max Merritt And The Meteors– Good Feelin'

Let It Rock CD1 / Let It Rock CD2

Australian Pop Of The 70's - Vols.1-3 - Get That Jive / On the Prowl / Boppin' the Blues

 

1-1 Sherbet– Summer Love

1-2 Mississippi – Will I

1-3 Mi-Sex– Computer Games

1-4 Robin Jolley– Marshall's Portable Music Machine

1-5 Ferrets*– Don't Fall In Love

1-6 The Master's Apprentices– Think About Tomorrow Today

1-7 Rick Springfield– Speak To The Sky

1-8 Moscos & Stone– Captain Captain

1-9 Bob Hudson – The Newcastle Song

1-10 Matt Taylor – I Remember When I Was Young

1-11 Colleen Hewett– Superstar

1-12 Marty Rhone– Denim & Lace

1-13 Axiom – My Baby's Gone

1-14 Silver Studs– Happy Days

1-15 Digby Richards– New York City

1-16 William Shakespeare – Can't Stop Myself From Loving You

1-17 Air Supply– Love And Other Bruises

1-18 Stylus – World Of Make Believe

1-19 The Mixtures– In The Summertime

1-20 John Farnham– Everything Is Out Of Season

2-1 Little River Band– Curiosity Killed The Cat

2-2 Hush – Glad All Over

2-3 Brian Cadd– Ginger Man

2-4 Skyhooks– Million Dollar Riff

2-5 Bjerre*– She Taught Me How To Love Again

2-6 Linda George– Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)

2-7 Finch – Where Were You

2-8 Ted Mulry Gang– Darktown Strutters Ball

2-9 Cheetah – Walking In The Rain

2-10 Supernaut – I Like It Both Ways

2-11 Marcia Hines– From The Inside

2-12 Bluestone – Wind And Rain

2-13 Daddy Cool – Come Back Again

2-14 Russell Morris– Let's Do It

2-15 Stars – Look After Yourself

2-16 Allison McCallum*– Superman

2-17 The Sports– Who Listens To The Radio

2-18 Gene Pierson– Reach Out

2-19 Dragon – Get That Jive

2-20 John Paul Young– The Love Game

Get That Jive CD1

Get That Jive CD2

1-1 Ol' 55– On The Prowl

1-2 The New Dream– Soft Delights

1-3 John Farnham– Rock Me Baby

1-4 Jon English – Hollywood Seven

1-5 Autumn – Looking Thru The Eyes Of A Beautiful Girl

1-6 Christie Allen– Goose Bumps

1-7 Kevin Johnson – Rock And Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life)

1-8 Hush – Walking

1-9 John Paul Young– I Hate The Music

1-10 The Town Criers – Living In A World Of Love

1-11 Allison Durbin– Amerikan Music

1-12 Sherbet– Slipstream

1-13 The Studs – Funky Feet

1-14 Daddy Cool – Hi Honey Ho

1-15 Ted Mulry Gang– Jamaica Rum

1-16 G. Wayne Thomas– Everything In You

1-17 Dragon – This Time

1-18 Gary Shearston– I Get A Kick Out Of You

1-19 Marcia Hines– You

1-20 Johnny Chester And Jigsaw– Shame & Scandal In The Family

2-1 Grahame Bond, Rory O'Donoghue– Farewell Aunty Jack

2-2 Marty Rhone– A Mean Pair Of Jeans

2-3 Ross Ryan– Blue Chevrolet Ballerina

2-4 Russell Morris– Rachel

2-5 Allison McCallum* with Freshwater – I Ain't Got The Time

2-6 Ray Burgess– Love Fever

2-7 Mr. George – Lazy Susan

2-8 The Master's Apprentices– Because I Love You

2-9 Mark Holden– Never Gonna Fall In Love Again

2-10 Cheek – So Much In Love

2-11 New World – Tom Tom Turnaround

2-12 Brian Cadd– Let Go

2-13 Stevie Wright– Black Eyed Bruiser

2-14 Skyhooks– Blue Jeans

2-15 John J. Francis– Play Mumma Play (Sing Me A Song)

2-16 William Shakespeare – My Little Angel

2-17 Air Supply– Empty Pages

2-18 Little River Band– Everyday Of My Life

2-19 Hans Poulsen– Light Across The Valley

2-20 Jamie Redfern– Hitch A Ride On A Smile

On the Prowl CD1

On the Prowl CD2

1-1 Blackfeather– Boppin' The Blues 3:12

1-2 Marc Hunter– Island Nights 3:15

1-3 Flash & The Pan– Hey St Peter 4:21

1-4 The Mixtures– Captain Zero 2:19

1-5 Sherbet– Cassandra 3:18

1-6 Shirley Strachan*– Every Little Bit Hurts 3:38

1-7 Tadpole – Throw A Little Lovin' My Way 2:29

1-8 Ted Mulry Gang– Jump In My Car 3:05

1-9 Marty Rhone– On The Loose 2:35

1-10 John Farnham– Comic Conversation 3:21

1-11 Billy Thorpe– It's Almost Summer 3:01

1-12 Marcie Jones– Armed And Extremely Dangerous 2:49

1-13 Spectrum – I'll Be Gone 4:24

1-14 John St. Peeters– Deep Inside Of Me 3:40

1-15 Jon English – Turn The Page 4:27

1-16 Jigsaw – Mademoiselle Ninette 2:22

1-17 Jeff St. John– A Fool In Love 2:57

1-18 Barry Crocker– Susie Darlin' 3:30

1-19 Stylus – Summer Breeze 4:33

1-20 Kevin Johnson – Bonnie, Please Don't Go 3:24

2-1 Hush – Bony Moronie 3:12

2-2 Rick Springfield– What Would The Children Think 3:41

2-3 Stars – Quick On The Draw 3:27

2-4 Colleen Hewett– Day By Day 5:58

2-5 Railroad Gin– You Told The World 2:54

2-6 Hans Poulsen– Boom Sha La La Lo 2:54

2-7 John Paul Young– I Wanna Do It With You 3:02

2-8 Country Radio– Gypsy Queen 4:02

2-9 Dragon – Still In Love With You 3:26

2-10 Mr. George – So Much Love (In My Heart) 2:57

2-11 Skyhooks– All My Friends Are Getting Married 4:50

2-12 Autumn – Falling 3:22

2-13 Ross Ryan– I Am Pegasus 3:42

2-14 Christie Allen– Falling In Love With Only You 3:28

2-15 Russell Morris– Mr. America 3:52

2-16 Debbie Byrne*– He's A Rebel 2:23

2-17 Marcia Hines– Something's Missing (In My Life) 4:40

2-18 Mark Holden– Last Romance 2:49

2-19 Brian Cadd & Don Mudie– Show Me The Way 4:01

2-20 Alison Maccallum– Excuse Me 3:10

Boppin' the Blues CD1

Boppin' the Blues CD2

Folk noir and gothic country shapeshifter Tom Woodward album release Come Come Karma

 

With an enviable cache of songs that document his thoughts and experiences, Tom Woodward is ready to continue his sonic journey with the release of Come Come Karma, his seventh studio album. The release consists of twelve tracks that feature baroque folk rock, lo-fi psychedelia, and country tinged storytelling. One of the album's lead singles, "Phoney Messiah" was recently released in November of 2025.

Woodward's songwriting chops have landed him impressive opportunities such as performing at the National Folk Festival, The Multicultural Fringe Festival, and opening slots for Abbe May, The Drones, and Mikelangelo & the Black Sea Gentlemen, to name a few.

Come Come Karma, can be streamed here.

Recommended If You Like: The Felice Brothers, Bob Dylan, The War On Drugs

Tales From The AUSTRALIAN UNDERGROUND - Singles 1976 - 1989

 A collection of some of the great 45's released during Australia's most prolific independent era of 1976 to 1989. Tales highlights selections from the previous careers of acts like (The Victims & Fun Things), Gangajang (The Riptides), The Cruel Sea (Sekret Sekret), Dave Graney (The Moodists), Big Heavy Stuff (Ups & Downs), You Am I (The Bamboos), Tex Perkins, (Thug), Dirty Three (Venom P. Stinger) as well as classic early releases from Radio Birdman, The Saints, The Scientists, Triffids, Died Pretty, The Mark Of Cain and the Hard-Ons.

In addition, Tales from the Australian Underground includes a selection of seminal tracks, previously unreleased on CD. Featured among others are Pel Mel, Sunnyboys, Sardine, Psycho Surgeons, The Leftovers, Do Re Mi, The Numbers, Tactics, X and Wet Taxis. Besides offering up an indie 'best of', Tales from the Australian Underground gives the listener an insight into the sounds and musical styles that were developed over the highlighted period. From raw rock 'n' roll and punk roots, to the eclecticism of the eighties.

1976 - 1982

Radio Birdman– Burned My Eye (Orig. Version) 1:50

The Saints – This Perfect Day (Orig. Version) 2:10

The Victims– I'm Flipped Out Over You 1:13

The Riptides – Sunset Strip 3:16

Psycho Surgeons*– Horizontal Action 1:47

The Leftovers – Cigarettes & Alcohol 1:40

La Femme – Chelsea Kids 3:45

The Scientists – Frantic Romantic 2:46

Numbers*– Government Boy 2:11

Tactics– Standing By The Window 2:34

Lipstick Killers*– Hindu Gods (Of Love) 3:19

Fun Things– When The Birdman Fly 3:17

The Passengers – Face With No Name 2:52

The Visitors – Brother John (Orig. Version) 4:29

The Birthday Party– Happy Birthday 3:59

Laughing Clowns– Sometimes (I Just Can't Live With Anyone) 4:00

Flaming Hands– I Belong To Nobody 2:08

Sunnyboys– Love To Rule (Orig. Version) 4:12

Sekret Sekret– New King Jack 3:32

Pel Mel– No Word From China 3:34

Makers Of The Dead Travel Fast*– Taels Of The Saeghors 4:49

Sardine V– Sudan 4:21

Do Re Mi*– Standing On Wires 4:41

1983 - 1989

Scientists*– We Had Love 4:49

The Moodists– The Disciples Know 3:33

The Triffids– Beautiful Waste 3:21

X (10)– Half Way Round The World (Orig. Version) 3:08

Lighthouse Keepers*– Ocean Liner 3:12

The Moffs– Another Day In The Sun 4:50

Died Pretty– Ambergris 4:24

The Eastern Dark– Julie Is A Junkie 2:37

The New Christs– No Next Time 2:15

Ups & Downs*– The Living Kind 3:47

Ed Kuepper– Also Sprach The King Of Euro-Disco 3:21

Bamboos*– With Which To Love You 4:17

Wet Taxis– Sailors Dream 3:44

Thug – Dad 2:19

Venom P. Stinger– Walking About 2:31

God – My Pal 3:21

The Mark Of Cain– Lords Of Summer 4:57

Someloves*– Know You Now 3:39

The Celibate Rifles– Johnny 3:49

Cosmic Psychos– Lost Cause 3:31

Plunderers– I Didn't See Them At All 2:40

Hard-Ons– Just Being With You 3:17

Tales From The AUSTRALIAN UNDERGROUND

The Soundtracks Collection - Part X

 

This is the tenth installment featuring Australian movie soundtracks.

Angst is a 2000 Australian comedy/romance directed by Daniel Nettheim and written by Anthony O'Connor. It stars Sam Lewis, Jessica Napier and Justin Smith. The story tells of an aspiring horror movie writer who searches for love in a world of heartache, desperation and fluffy toys.

1 David Thrussell– Night Of The Living Latte 1:29

2 Abi Tucker– Home 3:35

3 Snog– Late 20th Century Boy 4:18

4 Pnau– Arthur's Pizza 4:29

5 David Thrussell– Toaster Junkie 1:17

6 Flux – Animal Logic 4:28

7 David Thrussell– Dawn Of The Indecypherables 1:23

8 Simon Day– Collaborator 2:55

9 David Thrussell– Attack Of The Killer Pink Dildo 1:48

10 Wicked Beat Sound System– Holybill 3:47

11 Sonic Animation– I Funk Therefore I Am 4:32

12 Endorphin – Embrace 4:59

13 David Thrussell– Return Of The Daily Dread 2:08

14 Gerling– Breaking The Ant System 4:30

15 David Thrussell– Potato Bong 1:41

16 David Thrussell– Break And Enter 1:38

17 Sonic Animation– ...Or Maybe Not 5:14

18 David Thrussell– Sleeping With Pure Memory 1:22

19 Abi Tucker– Move You 3:11

20 Wicked Beat Sound System– Sinister 3:07

21 Soma– The Winged Measurer 4:13

Angst

Bigger Than Tina is a 1999 Australian film about an aspiring singer-songwriter named Dan Vardy-Cobb living in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, who dreams of success and particularly admires Tina Arena. He is taken on by talent agents Wes Grieves and Jacinta Fellows.

1 The Fauves– Bigger Than Tina II

2 Custard– We Can Get Together

3 The Meanies– Better The Devil You Know

4 Pollyana– State Of The Heart

5 The Fauves– Bigger Than Tina I

6 Mach Pelican– Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again

7 28 Days– We Can't Be Beaten

8 Moler– Science Fiction

9 The Dumpmasters* Featuring DVC*– Love Is Blindness

10 Rebecca's Empire Featuring Dan Vardy Cobb– Sound Of Your Heart

11 Dan Vardy Cobb And The Deeveecees– Crystalized (By Your Touch)

12 Dan Vardy Cobb And The Deeveecees– Goodbye

13 Dan Vardy Cobb And The Deeveecees– Ways Of Love

14 Dan Vardy Cobb And The Deeveecees– Prisoner Of Love

15 Honeysmack Featuring DVC*– Send Me An Angel

16 The Dumpmasters* Featuring DVC*– Love Is Blindness

Bigger Than Tina

Blurred is a 2002 Australian film about groups of school leavers travelling for schoolies week on the Gold Coast. It was directed by Evan Clarry and written by Stephen Davis and Kier Shorey. It was nominated at the 2003 Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Screenplay, Adapted from another Source.

1 "Blurred" Cast– Pigman (Dialogue)

2 Spiderbait– Outta My Head

3 Lash – Take Me Away

4 Lavaland– Everwonder

5 Machine Gun Fellatio– The Girl Of My Dreams (Is Giving Me Nightmares)

6 Butterfly 9– Growing Pains

7 Grace – Good Thing (Aotearoa Remix)

8 Katchafire– Giddy Up

9 J@mes– Lick-A-Lounge

10 K'Lee– 1+1+1 (It Ain't Two)

11 The (International) Noise Conspiracy*– Smash It Up

12 Cartman– Shock (Living Without You)

13 Pollyanna– Rebound Girl

14 Filler – Machines Don't Sleep

15 Giants of Science – Complete This Progression

16 Rocket Science– Hyperspace

17 The Cruel Sea– Three Legged Dog

18 Lazaro's Dog– Home Entertainment System

19 Drag – Secret Design

20 Grinspoon– Chemical Heart (Acoustic Mix)

21 Subware– Come On (JP Mix)

22 "Blurred" Cast– F@!*k Off (Dialogue)

Blurred

The Top 10 Australian Albums of 2025 - as voted by Rhythms Magazine readers

Rhythms Magazine, Australia's Roots Music Magazine, recently held its annual poll where readers and critics voted for their favourite music in various categories.

These are the top 10 Australian albums as voted by the readers:

10. Charm of Finches - Marlinchen In The Snow

Charm of Finches are Melbourne-based sister duo Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes. They make haunting chamber folk full of beauty and candour for the famished soul. The duo say "We write contemporary folk songs inspired by our personal experiences of love, grief and nature."

Their fourth studio album, Marlinchen in the Snow, was released in April 2024.

Reviews: 

..While this melodic indie folk sound is where the duo feels most at home and accomplished, for that very reason it also feels like the least interesting part of this record. It’s refined to such a brilliant sheen that it’s hard to see where it can go next. I’m more intrigued by the parts which show somewhat unfulfilled promise and offer a different direction in which to grow. https://belwoodmusic.com/2024/05/19/album-review-charm-of-finches-marlinchen-in-the-snow/

...a record of continued evolution, which doesn’t sound sexy as a marketing tool, and the accretion of small moves, which doesn’t sound like insurgency. But it is lush when it needs to be, poetic when it should be, and compelling when it wants to be, and those are subtle victories that arrive at something quite grand really.https://www.bernardzuel.net/post/charm-of-finches-marlinchen-in-the-snow-review

.. the album tackles themes of travel, loneliness, belonging and home with an added gelid sentiment creeping in from their winter setting. If you like your folk music to come with a gothic sheen and sibling harmonies, you’ll want to listen to this one. https://www.songwritingmagazine.co.uk/music/marlinchen-in-the-snow-charm-of-finches

https://www.charmoffinchesband.com/

https://charmoffinches.bandcamp.com/music

9. Minor Gold Way - To The Sun

Minor Gold is the Canadian–Australian folk-Americana duo of Tracy McNeil and Dan Parsons, whose luminous harmonies and finely-etched songs have drawn international acclaim. The pair first forged their sound while living and travelling in a van along Australia’s East Coast, crafting the songs that became their self-recorded debut, Minor Gold (2023). Steeped in Laurel Canyon-era country rock and intimate folk balladry, the album earned glowing comparisons to Simon & Garfunkel and Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings, and was widely praised in the roots music press.

Their follow-up, Way To The Sun (2025), was recorded in Glendale, California, with producer Dan Horne (Mapache, Cass McCombs, Circles Around The Sun) and drummer Austin Beede. Broader in scope yet just as emotionally resonant, it weaves pedal steel, layered guitars, and soaring harmonies into a sun-dappled, road-worn sound. The record debuted at #1 on the Americana radio “most added” chart in the U.S. and earned critical acclaim from UNCUT, Shindig!, and Americana UK.

With a sound rooted in 1960s–70s West Coast folk-rock but alive with modern spirit, Minor Gold tour extensively as a duo across Australia, North America, Europe, and the U.K.

https://www.minorgoldmusic.com/

https://minorgold.bandcamp.com/album/way-to-the-sun

8. Loretta Miller - Loretta

Loretta Miller is truly a daughter of Melbourne's rich music scene.

A musical chameleon who slips between genres with ease, Loretta first broke onto the Melbourne scene as a powerhouse vocalist come go-go dancer for nine piece soul group Clairy Browne and The Bangin Rackettes. After touring the world and playing alongside veteran acts like Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley and The Cat Empire, Loretta formed JAZZPARTY with long time musical partner Darcy McNulty. JAZZPARTY is part New Orleans style processional, part psychedelic cult dance party and is held together by their formidable front woman.

Beautifully blending worlds of alt country, indie Americana, 70’s tinged soul and Rock n’ Roll - Loretta Miller is the real deal. No stranger to adoring crowds, famous rooms, and hot stages, the indomitable front woman is stretching out and leading her own band for the first time. 

https://lorettamiller.bandcamp.com/album/loretta

7. Fiona Boyes & The Fortune Tellers Live At Bluesfest 2004

Australian guitar slinger Fiona Boyes plays sassy and soulful electric and acoustic blues and has earned nominations for Blues Music Awards for four years running.

The only Australian musician ever to be recognised by the American Blues Foundation (Memphis) ‘Blues Music Awards’, with 8 nominations, including 2019 ’Traditional Female Artist of the Year’ USA.  Winner of International Blues Challenge (Memphis: solo/duo 2004).  Performances featuring guitars, vocals and unique cigar-box instruments.  International recording artist and touring musician.

LIVE AT BLUESFEST 2004 - Fiona Boyes & The Fortune Tellers, featuring Hubert Sumlin & Chris Wilson. An historic legacy recording marking 21 years of Fiona Boyes & The Fortune Tellers, on tour with legendary Howlin' Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin and Australia's own roots music hero Chris Wilson. 

https://fionaboyes.bandcamp.com/music

https://fionaboyes.com/

6. Teskey Brothers - Live At The Hammersmith Apollo

The Teskey Brothers are an Australian blues rock band from Melbourne, named after the two brothers who formed the group in 2008: Josh Teskey (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Sam Teskey (lead guitar). In 2019, they signed with Glassnote Records and Ivy League Records. They have released three albums: Half Mile Harvest (2017), Run Home Slow (2019) and The Winding Way (2023). 

On their latest release, recorded on an analogue 24-track tape machine over 3 special nights at London’s iconic Eventim Apollo, The Teskey Brothers showcase their most enigmatic set to date. Featuring never-before recorded live tracks, such as Forever Me and You and Man of The Universe, Live At The Hammersmith Apollo represents the culmination of years honing their craft on the road.

https://www.theteskeybrothers.com/

5. Halfway - The Styx

Halfway is an eight piece band based in Brisbane, Australia. Three of the members – John Busby, Elwin Hawtin and Chris Dale originally hail from Rockhampton, Central Queensland. After moving to Brisbane and recruiting the like-minded Ben Johnson (bass), Halfway was formed in 2000. Joining shortly after were Dublin born brothers Noel Fitzpatrick (pedal steel) and Liam Fitzpatrick (banjo/mandolin). The finishing touches to the lineup were added with the inclusion of ex-Go-Between John Willsteed (guitar) & Luke Peacock ‘The Bird’ (keys/guitar). Their debut LP “Farewell to the Fainthearted” was released in 2003 (Plus One) to critical acclaim.

Halfway’s ninth studio album, The Styx, digs deep into the places, and people, rarely visited in rock music.

These are songs set among the rivers, estuaries and massive out-tides of Central Queensland. The Styx isn’t the one of Greek mythology but the river near the fishing village Stanage Bay, a place of deep natural beauty and danger. The band’s John Busby spent time there as a child, camping out on fishing trips with his father.

The album is the first recorded by the band themselves, mixed by Mark Nevers (Calexico, Lambchop, and producer of the band’s The Golden Halfway Record and Rain Lover albums) at his South Carolina studio.

The Styx features the return to the fold of band co-founder Chris Dale after a six-year absence, and contributions from guests including Chris Abrahams (The Necks, Midnight Oil) and Adele Pickvance (The Go-Betweens).

https://www.halfway.com.au/

4. Liz Stringer - The Second High

Melbourne based Liz Stringer has been a steadfast and captivating feature of the Australian musical landscape over a six album career. Venerated by her musical peers and devoted fanbase alike, Stringer’s world-class vocals, multi-instrumental prowess, notoriously powerful live performances and story-rich, genre-defying songs place her among the most important songwriters of her era. 

Mirroring the scope and complexity of Stringer’s sensibilities and accomplishment as an artist, The Second High draws from Stringers’ wider influences of jazz, funk and soul, and takes her ability to dissect the minutiae of the human condition through song – and connect with her audience - to a new level. The album is redolent with motifs of self-actualisation, lessons learned, sharp and ever-relevant commentary on social issues, and a strong and consistent focus on justice and equality. Fueled by keys-driven grooves ranging from poignant grand piano lamentations (When You Met Me), the Rhodes-led jazz odyssey of On the Level, hip-hop flavoured keys brightening the bottom-heavy and deeply funky The Second High, to virtuosic keys that dance between strings and soaring multi-layered vocals in To Survive, Stringer's seventh studio album is a fresh and engaging ride to a destination yet uncharted, even by Stringer’s standards – thrilling, stark and transformative. 

https://lizstringer.bandcamp.com/album/the-second-high

https://www.lizstringer.com/

3. Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission - GoCome Back

Mick Thomas has some secret magic to his writing… he surely can write great songs that make you say “Why didn’t I think of that?” He writes about mates, ratbags, races, places, weddings, parties, funny stuff – anything – but they are really good stories and great songs.

Mick Thomas and his bands, notably ‘The Weddos’ or ‘The Roving Commission’ or MT himself are all something to behold.

GoComeBack is the full Roving Commission six piece line-up captured by an in form producer/engineer in a fine studio setting. The album cover itself is an elaborate production.

GoComeBack - it’s a pidgin Indonesian term for return journey. ‍

Go is side one - it takes you away, leaves you in a far off place. You catch a bus at dawn, by a submerged island you hear distant voices, you marvel at how mundane a supposedly exotic place can be, and how exotic a functional entity needs to be. You catch up with a band who went a-touring and never came back, you get your nails done by someone who wishes they were far away.  

ComeBack is side two - it tries to see beauty in the everyday. A tram ride through a divided city, some wild birds in the airport food hall, a sculpture by the river and a small child in a Vietnamese restaurant. Mick sits on a pier in an obscure seaside town and wonders how he got there while some artists try their bohemian best to pretend their domicile is anywhere but a work-a-day Melbourne suburb. 

https://mickthomas.bandcamp.com/album/gocomeback 

https://www.mickthomas.com/home

2. Paul Kelly - Seventy

Over forty years and across thirty albums, Paul Kelly has made himself unique among world songwriters by the sheer range and innovation of his work. With each song he writes, he feels like he’s starting anew – every one a puzzle to be solved, a mystery that can never quite be explained. Few songwriters find ways to keep that creative fever burning for as long and as brightly as Kelly.

The country of his birth, its emotional interior and geographical landscape, its heroes and villains, our hopes and failings, have been a constant in Kelly’s long list of Australian-set songs. From St Kilda to King’s Cross, Adelaide, Leaps and Bounds, Maralinga (Rainy Land), Randwick Bells, Sydney from a 747. From the bus ride through the cane in To Her Door to the childhood memory of Deeper Water. He has written about the country’s greatest cricketer, Bradman, and its most infamous bushranger, Ned Kelly, in Our Sunshine.

For a writer who insists his songs are not autobiography, Seventy (2025) might just be his most personal album yet. Having turned seventy in January 2024, there’s a sense of taking stock. The first words you hear on Seventy are, ‘Tell us a story.’ The last words you hear are, ‘Put another big log on the fire.’ And we’re back in the kellyverse of love, loss, legend, wit, poetry and tales tall and true.

“Feeling dry is the normal state for a songwriter,” Kelly says of the creative process. “Most days I don’t have a song or anywhere near a song. You do anything you can to break old habits, jamming with the band to find a different riff, playing a different instrument, putting the guitar in a different tuning. You have to keep turning up and keep trying, stay open. And write things down when they come into your head or otherwise they go out of your head.” Kelly’s willingness to experiment and work with collaborators including his long-time band has played an important role in keeping that creative fire flaming. His body of work includes live albums, film soundtracks, co-writes, production work and decades of touring, playing the kind of shows fans never forget.

At 70, Kelly remains creatively vital, his mission to keep creating, keep exploring, keep finding new ways to move the fingers, the music, the heart, the mind.

https://www.paulkelly.com.au/

1. The Cruel Sea - Straight Into The Sun

Sydney indie rock band The Cruel Sea first formed in late 1987. Originally an instrumental band, they became more popular when fronted by vocalist Tex Perkins (also Beasts of Bourbon). For the majority of the band's tenure, the band has featured Jim Elliott on drums, Ken Gormly on bass guitar, Dan Rumour on guitar and James Cruickshank on guitar and keyboards. Between 1990 and 2001, the band released six studio albums – three of which (1991's This Is Not the Way Home, 1993's The Honeymoon Is Over and 1995's Three Legged Dog) were certified platinum by ARIA. 

Straight Into The Sun is their first album release since 2002 and caps a stellar return to action for the four-time ARIA winners.

A few reviews:

As the band summons up a sexy hip-shaking swing on the title tune, Tex Perkins sings: “I’ve got a long list of things I should not have done/But now I know I’ve really only just begun.” And the album tingles with the excitement of a fresh beginning, from the easy-rolling country-blues of the second single Waste Your Time to the shimmering ’60s pop flavors of You Shine and the images of nature painted by the instrumentals Razor Back and Storm Bird. Straight Into The Sun captures the essence of what everyone loved about them in the first place, under the influence of ’60s surf music and atmospheric Western film soundtracks but always open to exploring different musical directions.

https://www.therockpit.net/2025/the-cruel-sea-straight-into-the-sun-the-album-out-today/

Drenched in soul and warm rhythms, Straight Into The Sun comes delivered with the Cruel Sea's signature wry smile. For longtime fans, Straight Into The Sun will excite, and for newcomers to the fold, the track is a strong entry point to the band's catalogue. abc.net

...this is a band that says who cares what you are supposed to be doing, just do this instead, this is what matters. That isn’t a straightforward “I don’t give a fuck” attitude – that’s stupid and lazy, and they’ve never been either – but rather “I’ll choose what to give a fuck about and it’s likely your suggestions won’t make the list”. You’ll find that mood immediately with the country surf How Far I’d Go: in the smooth slide of guitar opening the door for Tex Perkins’ unrolling vocals; in the way space beckons between the guitars of Danny Rumour and Matt Walker; and how the rhythm section of Jim Elliott and Ken Gormly (irreplaceable) steps only into a corner of that space. Perkins sings of shame and blame and there is a suggestion of wisdom gained, but enough vagueness about the direction – better or worse? – in the question of “just how far I’d go … for you”, to leave open possibilities. https://www.bernardzuel.net/post/the-cruel-sea-straight-into-the-sun-review

https://www.texperkins.com/