| The Love Junkies |
| Blowing On the Devil’s Strumpet |
The Love Junkies — Blowing On the Devil’s Strumpet
♠ The winner for 'Crudest but Damn Catchy' number on the record is “Television”. Just as the title of 'Totally Punk' goes to “When I’m Lookin’ In The Mirror”. Nothing else but the mood and the title reminds me of the old ska–punk classic “Mirror In The Bathroom” by The Beat. Is it wrong to associate the new with the old like that? It’s an interesting comparison to think youth then and now have become more narcissistic.
♠ Drawing influences from late 60’s soul grooves, delta blues, still riding the alternative wave of the 90’s and lightin’ it all up with a short fuse, The Love Junkies sound is an explosion of hooky melodies, loud thumping drums and fuzzed out riffage. ♠ The band began it's journey late 2009 and since then have released a self–titled EP and recently, "Crying Rhymes", the latest single from the trio.
Location: Gosnells ~ Fremantle, Australia
Album release: September 5, 2014
Record Label:
Tracks:
01 Mausoleum 3:25
02 You Are The Pins In My Ears. You Are The Salt In My Eyes 4:04
03 Television 3:25
04 Lonely Ride 3:44
05 The Grieving Song (To My Homesick Daughter. To My Unborn Son.) 3:24
06 When I'm Lookin' In The Mirror... 0:54
07 A Fool's Errand 2:57
08 In The Belly Of My Beast 3:59
09 Alma Street 3:39
10 Goodnight Ellen 5:33
℗ 2014 M. McDonald, R. Rumble & Lewis Walsh
Personnel:
♦ Mitch Mcdonald — Vocals, Strings and things
♦ Robbie Rumble — Bass
♦ Lewis Walsh — Drums
REVIEW
Meredith McLean, October 22, 2014 — 12:11pm; Score: 8.2 out of 10
♦ Fremantle trio The Love Junkies have released their sophomore LP Blowing On The Devil’s Strumpet. Unlike so many bands that find themselves swamped in a sophomore slump, The Love Junkies have prevailed with a great new suite of songs. It doesn't feel that long ago that they played a gig at my town’s local bar... and now here they are with a second album. They grow up so fast!
♦ The first track “Mausoleum” sets the mood for the album: It is devious, dark and unafraid to blast you with that harsh but fun rock sound that has become their signature. Lyrics like “F*** me like you hate me” are too much fun to yell. No doubt this will provide ample entertainment on their next tour.
♦ Next up is “You Are The Pins In My Ears, You Are The Salt In My Eyes”. The track is a total contrast to the opening song, and is an ironic mellow mood for what seems like the best passive aggressive rant we've all wanted to say to someone in our lives. Play the track, picture the person and have a sneaky smile while you jam out.
♦ The winner for 'Crudest but Damn Catchy' number on the record is “Television”. Just as the title of 'Totally Punk' goes to “When I’m Lookin’ In The Mirror”. Nothing else but the mood and the title reminds me of the old ska-punk classic “Mirror In The Bathroom” by The Beat. Is it wrong to associate the new with the old like that? It’s an interesting comparison to think youth then and now have become more narcissistic. But when you line up these two songs, narcissism in music has faded and self-hatred is now one of the key themes in rock music. The Love Junkies seem to have nailed that philosophy in Aussie rock while still maintaining an indie status. It is good to see they’re full of surprises.
♦ The Love Junkies bring the whole spectrum to this album. From indie rock to thrash punk they even serve up a surfer rock tune with their song “A Fool’s Errand”. In the scheme of things, it is only the closing song “Goodnight Ellen” that lets us down. It’s full of sweet lyrics like “Here’s to you my old friend Ellen, you’re a heartbreak worth tellin’”. But, the song itself is demure in comparison to other great tracks.
♦ Overall, this second album for The Love Junkies should be considered a strong return. It seems they manage it not by trying to get out there and edgy as many bands do on their second go. Instead, The Love Junkies specifically didn’t over think it and kept with what they do best. These tracks would’ve been amazing to hear live during their recent Australian tour. Hopefully, we’ll get some more of that sooner rather than later. :: http://www.theaureview.com/
Bandcamp: http://thelovejunkies.bandcamp.com/
Review
David James Young, Joined: 24th January 2014; Score: 4/5.
♠ ALBUM OF THE WEEK Arguably not since The Vasco Era disappeared has there been a band in contemporary Australian rock that has sounded so genuinely dangerous and on the verge of completely losing it the way The Love Junkies do. It’s their howling, punk–tinged brand of garage rock that has allowed them to move from support slots as diverse as You Am I, Calling All Cars and La Dispute this year alone with the utmost of ease. While it’s difficult for bands in this vein to capture the lightning in a bottle that comes with their live performances, they have come quite close on their second studio album. There’s a progression and a maturity within the songwriting, but it’s quickly ensured that this is not a trade–off for intensity and energy — look no further than rip–snorters like opener ‘Mausoleum’ and the sub–minute scorcher ‘When I’m Lookin’ In The Mirror’. Even the slower moments on offer add a darker layer to the proceedings, providing a striking contrast as opposed to a screeching halt to the momentum. If you’re not on board with The Love Junkies by now, Blowing On The Devil’s Strumpet is your chance to rectify this situation. Fortaken: http://www.thebrag.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelovejunkies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelovejunkiesmusic?fref=ts
Website: http://www.thelovejunkiesmusic.com/home.html
CONTACT
MANAGEMENT
Matt —
BOOKINGS
Western Australia
Luke —
All other states
Edwin —
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
| The Love Junkies |
| Blowing On the Devil’s Strumpet |
♠ The winner for 'Crudest but Damn Catchy' number on the record is “Television”. Just as the title of 'Totally Punk' goes to “When I’m Lookin’ In The Mirror”. Nothing else but the mood and the title reminds me of the old ska–punk classic “Mirror In The Bathroom” by The Beat. Is it wrong to associate the new with the old like that? It’s an interesting comparison to think youth then and now have become more narcissistic.
♠ Drawing influences from late 60’s soul grooves, delta blues, still riding the alternative wave of the 90’s and lightin’ it all up with a short fuse, The Love Junkies sound is an explosion of hooky melodies, loud thumping drums and fuzzed out riffage. ♠ The band began it's journey late 2009 and since then have released a self–titled EP and recently, "Crying Rhymes", the latest single from the trio.
Location: Gosnells ~ Fremantle, Australia
Album release: September 5, 2014
Record Label:
Tracks:
01 Mausoleum 3:25
02 You Are The Pins In My Ears. You Are The Salt In My Eyes 4:04
03 Television 3:25
04 Lonely Ride 3:44
05 The Grieving Song (To My Homesick Daughter. To My Unborn Son.) 3:24
06 When I'm Lookin' In The Mirror... 0:54
07 A Fool's Errand 2:57
08 In The Belly Of My Beast 3:59
09 Alma Street 3:39
10 Goodnight Ellen 5:33
℗ 2014 M. McDonald, R. Rumble & Lewis Walsh
Personnel:
♦ Mitch Mcdonald — Vocals, Strings and things
♦ Robbie Rumble — Bass
♦ Lewis Walsh — Drums
REVIEW
Meredith McLean, October 22, 2014 — 12:11pm; Score: 8.2 out of 10
♦ Fremantle trio The Love Junkies have released their sophomore LP Blowing On The Devil’s Strumpet. Unlike so many bands that find themselves swamped in a sophomore slump, The Love Junkies have prevailed with a great new suite of songs. It doesn't feel that long ago that they played a gig at my town’s local bar... and now here they are with a second album. They grow up so fast!
♦ The first track “Mausoleum” sets the mood for the album: It is devious, dark and unafraid to blast you with that harsh but fun rock sound that has become their signature. Lyrics like “F*** me like you hate me” are too much fun to yell. No doubt this will provide ample entertainment on their next tour.
♦ Next up is “You Are The Pins In My Ears, You Are The Salt In My Eyes”. The track is a total contrast to the opening song, and is an ironic mellow mood for what seems like the best passive aggressive rant we've all wanted to say to someone in our lives. Play the track, picture the person and have a sneaky smile while you jam out.
♦ The winner for 'Crudest but Damn Catchy' number on the record is “Television”. Just as the title of 'Totally Punk' goes to “When I’m Lookin’ In The Mirror”. Nothing else but the mood and the title reminds me of the old ska-punk classic “Mirror In The Bathroom” by The Beat. Is it wrong to associate the new with the old like that? It’s an interesting comparison to think youth then and now have become more narcissistic. But when you line up these two songs, narcissism in music has faded and self-hatred is now one of the key themes in rock music. The Love Junkies seem to have nailed that philosophy in Aussie rock while still maintaining an indie status. It is good to see they’re full of surprises.
♦ The Love Junkies bring the whole spectrum to this album. From indie rock to thrash punk they even serve up a surfer rock tune with their song “A Fool’s Errand”. In the scheme of things, it is only the closing song “Goodnight Ellen” that lets us down. It’s full of sweet lyrics like “Here’s to you my old friend Ellen, you’re a heartbreak worth tellin’”. But, the song itself is demure in comparison to other great tracks.
♦ Overall, this second album for The Love Junkies should be considered a strong return. It seems they manage it not by trying to get out there and edgy as many bands do on their second go. Instead, The Love Junkies specifically didn’t over think it and kept with what they do best. These tracks would’ve been amazing to hear live during their recent Australian tour. Hopefully, we’ll get some more of that sooner rather than later. :: http://www.theaureview.com/
Bandcamp: http://thelovejunkies.bandcamp.com/
Review
David James Young, Joined: 24th January 2014; Score: 4/5.
♠ ALBUM OF THE WEEK Arguably not since The Vasco Era disappeared has there been a band in contemporary Australian rock that has sounded so genuinely dangerous and on the verge of completely losing it the way The Love Junkies do. It’s their howling, punk–tinged brand of garage rock that has allowed them to move from support slots as diverse as You Am I, Calling All Cars and La Dispute this year alone with the utmost of ease. While it’s difficult for bands in this vein to capture the lightning in a bottle that comes with their live performances, they have come quite close on their second studio album. There’s a progression and a maturity within the songwriting, but it’s quickly ensured that this is not a trade–off for intensity and energy — look no further than rip–snorters like opener ‘Mausoleum’ and the sub–minute scorcher ‘When I’m Lookin’ In The Mirror’. Even the slower moments on offer add a darker layer to the proceedings, providing a striking contrast as opposed to a screeching halt to the momentum. If you’re not on board with The Love Junkies by now, Blowing On The Devil’s Strumpet is your chance to rectify this situation. Fortaken: http://www.thebrag.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelovejunkies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelovejunkiesmusic?fref=ts
Website: http://www.thelovejunkiesmusic.com/home.html
CONTACT
MANAGEMENT
Matt —
BOOKINGS
Western Australia
Luke —
All other states
Edwin —
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