End of Fashion

Title: End of Fashion

End of Fashion

Catchy guitar hooks and radio friendly lyrics make this band’s music a must have on every bad day. Beginning with “She’s Love” – inspired by singer, Justin Buford’s girlfriend, Katy Steele (singer of Perth band, Little Birdy) is a great choice for a lead off track. Upbeat and heartfelt, it’s a song for relationships of any kind; whether it’s someone you’re dating or your best friend. “O Yeah” follows this upbeat track, and it seems like someone left the recorder going when the band was jamming one day. According to various websites about the band, this song was the result of a bet made between Justin and a fellow musician that he couldn’t write a song in sixty minutes or so. Obviously it isn’t their most well crafted work, but it’s still incredibly fun and contributes to the band’s personality on this debut record. Even when the band dips into punk inspired melodies for “the Game” – the fun loving personality still shines through as the guitar and lyrics never get too heavy.

Slowing the tempo down is “Anymore” a song about a breakup that is reminiscent of 90s rock from American artists like Vertical Horizon, Aerosmith and maybe a touch of Bon Jovi. “Lock Up Your Daughters” is quite possibly the most cheerful rock song I’ve heard. Lyrically humorous, melodically addicting and vocally one of the best songs found on this CD, it’s impossible to stay in a bad mood while listening to this track. “Rough Diamonds” follows, and this is definitely their strongest song lyrically, and also the only song that rivals and maybe surpasses the vocals on “Lock Up Your Daughters”. From start to finish, End of Fashion creates an intimate and (literally) seamless listening experience that allows the listener to discover who these guys are from song to song. As well as creating well crafted rock songs and ballads, the guys of End of Fashion have also created a medium to increase anticipation for their next record.

Download: “Lock Up Your Daughters” and “She’s Love”

Track Listing:

1. She's Love
2. O Yeah
3. The Game
4. Anymore
5. Too Careful
6. Love Comes In
7. In Denial
8. Oh Strain
9. Lock Up Your Daughters
10. Rough Diamonds
11. Seize the Day
12. Anything Goes (Alan Moulder Remix)

First Annual Bay Area Indie Music Festival -- August 25

I honestly do NOT know where to start; a full day of sun and music could have that effect…by the end of the night one was on live music overload. The festival’s sound technicians ditched the gig the morning before – so there was a brand new crew scrambling to get the show on the road. The bands in general weren’t THAT great – thought the few that were awesome, were worthy of buying the CD and I did buy a couple. (The Frail, Scissors For Lefty, and a couple others – Push To Talk sounded pretty good as well as Audrye Sessions) The festival line up appeared to be at least 2 hours off schedule, so Eskimo Joe didn’t come on till about 6:15 or so…but it was so worth the wait. I was entertained by some Australians who happened to be living in Berkeley (about a half hour away from the venue, maybe) – both really nice guys, and asked me a few questions of what I knew of the guys.

They arrived to the venue about an hour or hour and a half before their set and Stu and Kav walked right by me…and immediately my nerves were totally buzzing. I couldn’t believe they’d just walked right in front of me and I couldn’t find my voice to call out to them…but more so – I couldn’t believe I was finally going to see this band live. We still had a while to wait…but before their set started, my friend and I walked over to watch them set up – and I took a couple pictures. I waved at Kav, and immediately felt like a dork, because it was a tiny wave that showed just how nervous and excited I was – but he still smiled at me. With the [harsh] encouragement of my friend, I went over to Kav, and shook his hand, and told him I was a HUGE fan and couldn’t wait to hear them play. It was obvious he was concerned about the sound system, as almost every band had some kind of issue with instruments or microphones…I was worried too, because they were setting up to play on the problem stage. Then finally, it was their turn to play. The guy who did their intro was obviously excited too, to hear them play, which made me happy to hear how much he appreciated Eskimo Joe making this their last stop on their first American tour. Song by song breakdown:

Set List:
Sarah – I was surprised that they were going to open with Sarah, but I was still happy as I love the song and especially the instrumental break. With the first vocals I immediately had goose bumps – this song is amazing and I look forward to hearing it again. They totally rocked out…if people weren’t paying attention to them before the break – they were then.
Comfort You – I’ve been told they love playing this song live…and now I can see why. They totally rock out to this song, and it was a blast to see. Though given the songs they cut because of the delay – I’d rather have heard How Does It Feel or Breaking Up. Still, the piano alone makes this an amazing live song.
New York – A dream-like experience live. Great instrumental to a wonderful song that definitely sounds better live than on the CD. It was a beautiful song…and it was amazing to see 200 or so people who had no idea who these guys were, totally starting to rock out.
From the Sea – When I looked at the set list before they started…I was so excited to see that we were going to hear an older song as well. Kav’s voice really shines live, even when you’re standing next to the speaker like I was. I think this is probably the song that made me love the band more, simply a brilliant live moment.
London Bombs – I don’t know what I can say about this song that I haven’t said already about the others. Absolutely beautiful live, between the acoustic guitar and piano…and again, Kav just sounds amazing live; as well as the band, possibly better than the CD version.
This Is Pressure – I was so happy they played this song…that I literally jumped. I couldn’t help myself. Easily the highlight of the set…absolutely amazing because you can feel Kav’s bass in you, which I could the whole night, but I love the bass in this song so it made it even more amazing.
Black Fingernails, Red Wine – I knew that they would play this, I was hoping anyway. I really wanted to hear it after I saw it on Live Earth. There’s no way around it that the kick drum in this song would get anyone pumped up to hear the song…and the crowd was certainly enjoying this song.

Missed out on (due to huge delays getting started):
Beating Like A Drum
Breaking Up
How Does It Feel

After their set, I quickly went to get my drawing out of my bag, because I wasn’t going to leave this place without him seeing and singing the drawing. So when I went up to the stage a second time, I was so much less nervous and that made it a lot easier to be able to show the portrait I’d done. When I walked to the stage with the pad of paper that had my drawing, he immediately spotted it and asked what it was…so I pulled out the copy I had made to give to him; immediately he said, “Oh wow, this is awesome! Thank you.” Then when I showed him the original, he said how clearly I hadn’t just drawn it…which made me laugh; I admitted it had taken me about a week. Then when I asked him to sign the original, he said he would only sign it if I signed the copy I’d brought…which totally shocked me but also really made my day (and then some) – so I did. For some reason, I had the drawing upside down and I was ready to sign the back – but Kav had no problem telling me exactly how and where to sign it; “You have to sign it on the front in the corner, like an artist.” Anyway, the point of this drawing in a way was to show my admiration – and hopefully so he’d remember me the next time I saw them. I had been anticipating this show for a month so it was a huge relief when they didn’t have any major audio issues. Overall, the whole night was fabulous…one I won’t soon forget.

Black Fingernails, Red Wine

Black Fingernails, Red Wine
Eskimo Joe
Released: September 25, 2007

While this will be the first CD the Australian mega band, Eskimo Joe, will release in the US, Australia has known about these guys for nearly a decade. I was lucky enough, and maybe some of you reading this were too, to catch this band on stage, live in Sydney, Australia, for Live Earth. I have come across some new fans on the band’s official forum to facebook who have been hooked ever since, myself included. This CD, is deeper and different than the previous two; change seems to be a common theme for the “trio from Freo” (Freo – short for Fremantle, a city located just west of the West Australia capital, Perth), and it drives them into even darker territory this time around. A heavier sound is in fact, more fitting for the new subject matter being explored; however, the sound does get progressively darker from song to song.

“Comfort You” – the lead track is practically instrumental, featuring mostly a beautiful, haunting keyboard melody, building on that is “New York” which adds a simple acoustic guitar melody over a keyboard melody that’s equally simple. While there are drums in every track, there are certain ones that highlight how important a drum beat can be in music. One being “Setting Sun” which also is probably the best song Kav Temperley has written to date, I would highlight the whole song, but there’s only one verse in particular that stands out more than the rest:

“Ice is just a remedy for pain and rising heat,
Hold it in your hands and watch the puddles form around your feet,

And if you drink the water, it might just stop the pain,

From dreaming of the fever drowning holes around your name”

“London Bombs” is a simple, classic ballad, about the loneliness one can find anywhere, in a big city, sitting at home wishing a friend was near, or missing a loved one. Following this low key track, “Sarah” – a playful rock song written for a friend of Kav’s, picks up the energy again, which also features one of the best instrumental breaks in any of their songs (the best, for me, being in “How Does It Feel” – the last track on the album), and some of the best vocals. “This Is Pressure” is my favorite song the band has in their catalogue, its perfection. The vocals, the melody, the lyrics – they all come together in a wonderful song full of metaphors and lyrics that I don’t think I’ll soon forget.

“There is no romance in conversation,

The words fall out like you’re out of patience,

You want to scream and you want to shout,

But you build up steam and you can’t let out”

Following “This Is Pressure” is another rhythm driven song, reminiscent of INXS called “Beating like a Drum”. According to Australian fans, is the band’s popular choice as a show opener, and it’s easy to see why, the infectious drum beat is sure to pump up any crowd. The next track really isn’t a song, but it brings the tempo back to where we started, quiet, haunting and simple with “Reprise”; a recounting of “Comfort You” made more haunting with the addition of violins. The next track called “Suicide Girl” is my least favorite – which by no means detracts from the quality of the song itself…just, I don’t find it to be terribly strong.

The closing track, “How Does It Feel” is another strong track on the album. On this particular track Eskimo Joe goes against what I and probably other listener’s have come to expect. Normally following the instrumental crescendo would be a quiet period, and then vocals would continue. However, in “How Does It Feel” the instrumental brings the song to an exhilarating high point found in 80s stadium rock anthems allowing strong vocals to finish this song that’s almost dreamlike.

“Black Fingernails, Red Wine” is a perfect way for Eskimo Joe to break into the realm of worldwide popularity. Every song on this record tells a story in an infectious way that hooks you in and once Americans discover Eskimo Joe – they’ll need the rest of their records to feed their addiction.

Also included in the US Version of “Black Fingernails, Red Wine” – a bonus CD featuring their videos, or video clips already released in Australia. These include:

· Black Fingernails, Red Wine (Nash Edgerton Version)

· Sarah

· New York

· Breaking Up

Download: “Setting Sun” or “This Is Pressure”

Track Listing:

1. Comfort You

2. New York

3. Black Fingernails, Red Wine

4. Breaking Up

5. Setting Sun

6. London Bombs

7. Sarah

8. This Is Pressure

9. Beating Like A Drum

10. Reprise

11. Suicide Girl

12. How Does It Feel

"A Song Is A City" - Eskimo Joe

Eskimo Joe took a leap of faith with their second full length CD, “A Song Is a City,” making the arrangements even bigger than before. Starting with a very organic sound on the lead track, “Come Down,” it gives Kav, the band’s singer (and lead songwriter) a chance to show off. A song that starts basically a cappella grows into a sweeping stadium rock ballad, yet, still manages to channel the Beatles in their flawless delivery. Eskimo Joe, or “eskies” as fans fondly refer to them as, keep true to the original sound they found with “Girl” but manage to evolve it even further, the sweeping melodies and harmonies fans grew accustomed to on their first disc are still here along with creative song lyrics. Again, showing off their diversity, melodically and lyrically, there’s something for everyone on this fantastic album that will have most the world thinking, “what sophomore slump?” From the title track, “A Song Is a City,” that oozes loneliness and the grittiness that can often be found in a large metropolitan city, to quite possibly Eskimo Joe’s most upbeat song, called “Older than You.” Overall, there’s a darker tone to the music this time around, but through the upbeat melodies and harmonies, Eskimo Joe manage to create a multi-level experience. “You never know how good you’ve got it/’til it all goes bad” (Don’t Let It Fly) is a perfect example of this new dynamic, as well as “From the Sea” – an in your face rock song that reads almost like a pre-war poem about what’s to come, “There’s just no oxygen/why can’t we just fall in/in the sea.” To prove you’re even more creative and diverse in each sequential album isn’t something just any artist or band can do on a regular basis, but that seems to be the growing trend for Eskimo Joe for now and the future.

Download: A Song Is a City and Come Down

Title: A Song Is A City
Artist: Eskimo Joe
Track Listing:

1. Come Down
2. From The Sea
3. Life Is Better With You
4. Older Than You
5. A Song Is A City
6. Don’t Let It Fly
7. I’m So Tired
8. Seven Veils
9. Smoke
10. Carousel
11. This Room
12. Car Crash

"Girl" - Eskimo Joe

“Girl,” The first full length studio recorded album from the Australian band named Eskimo Joe, is a true rock record start to finish. Taking a break every so often from biting guitar chords, slower songs like “Planet Earth” and “Liar” shine as much as the up-beat “Wake Up” and “Sydney Song”. Showing off their musical and lyrical diversity throughout, targeting the sounds of the 90’s grunge era to melodies and harmonies reminiscent of the Beatles. Aside from the often sweeping melodies and harmonies, a band is nothing without creative lyrics, and Eskimo Joe has plenty. A self-proclaimed "story-telling band", every song on the CD is a story – however, there are a few that stick out even on first listen. “There’s nothing underneath your bed/don’t believe what your friends said/go to heaven when you’re dead,” (Take A Rest) and “You know, you know, you know I’m a liar/I can’t, I can’t, get burnt by the fire.” (Liar) Eskimo Joe manages to talk in circles and make perfect sense at the same time with their music; maybe that’s because the band themselves really discovered their strengths before they even attempted to “make it.” Whatever the formula the Western Australian’s used…it certainly worked.

Download: “Wake Up” or “Liar”

Album: Girl
Artist: Eskimo Joe (Kav Temperley, Joel Quartermain, Stu MacLeod)
Track Listing:

1. Head Hurts
2. Wake Up
3. Planet Earth
4. Who Sold Her Out
5. Love List
6. Liar
7. Election
8. Take A Rest
9. Slow Down
10. Sydney Song
11. Just Like Me
12. Driver