Release
date: December 02nd 2016. Label: Kozmik Artifactz. Format:
CD/DD/Vinyl
2. It's Cruel To Be Kind
3. Blue Side Of The Collar
4. Dirty Woman
5. The Man
Band
Members
Mathias Northway - guitar, vocals
Michael Lowe - drums, percussion
Danny Smith - bass guitar
Review
Melbourne's
Child shook my foundations back in 2014 when their self-titled debut
came out. Heavily influenced by blues and heavy psych back then, the
blues has been pushed to the front almost exclusively this time
around. Fear not, there trippy moments here and there, but they are
scarcely used compared to the debut. Instead, at least in my opinion,
Child are going all out playing real blues the way it should sound.
Low down and dirty and full of rejection, attempts at redemption and
forgiveness and pure misery. Hey, it wouldn’t be blues if not. Best
of all, what this trio is doing on ‘Blueside’ is absolutely
fantastic!
The
first two songs, ‘Nailed To The Ceiling’ and ‘It’s Cruel To
Be Kind’ are slow and heavy build-up compositions. The tight and
punishing rhythm section keeps you down and out while the vocals and
guitar spills out all the anguish inside. And man, I love guitar
solos, always have which both these songs have in abundance. Hey, I’m
not complaining. ‘Blue Side Of The Collar’ starts off with only
Mr. Northway singing and Mr. Smith thumping on the bass guitar.
Eventually, Mr. Lowe joins in on some soft touches on the drums
before Northway cranks up the guitar. Still, they keep it slow
bringing out peoples struggles perfectly with the guitar crying out
the pain.
What
would blues be without a song about failed relationships or shady
partners? Nothing, you’re right! And ‘Dirty Woman’ is that
particular track. You want her and get her and your life goes down
the drain cause she’s nothing but trouble. We’ve all had those
relationships, so don’t try to deny it, friends. A beautiful slow
guitar solo opens the last song, ‘The Man’ which follows along
the guitar. It sets the moods throughout leading up to where
Northway’s lamenting voice tells about the showdown when a man gets
shot down. Again, the guitar solos, man!
Child
are one of those rare bands that goes from strength to strength with
each new release. Instead of resting on their laurels, they push the
envelope making the music even better than before. Few can pull that
off, but these Australians are of a different breed and stand miles
ahead of the rest. So folks, get your hands on ‘Blueside’ because
it’s the shit for sure!
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