Gawd, what an overproduced pile of goop. Blurgh. Polyserena is the sort of worthy yet ultimately uninteresting rock not that far removed from the John Butler Trio, except at least the JBT don't take four years to record a debut album: socially conscious lyrics about how pollution and globalisation is bad and being yourself is good (well duh), set to highly conventional songwriting, with the build-ups and breakdowns as calculated and predictable as a Global Underground progressive house compilation, immaculately arranged with competent yet uninspired performances from the musicians, spiced up with occasional electronic burbles and breakbeats, the sort that went out of fashion in 1995. Combined with a self-consciously independent music ethic - which depends how independent one considers being distributed by the Murdoch-owned FMR, something like the Naomi Klein Conundrum, I guess. The end product is about as soulful as a McDonalds franchise, as interesting as Senate Question Time, and as essential as a hole in the head.
I also think extended references here to Enya combined with Jeff Buckley would be cruel, but you can probably figure out what I mean. I suppose it's meant as some kind of riposte to the tuneless racket that the likes of Grinspoon and Jebediah put out, but after nearly an hour of the sort of guff which makes even the Tea Party sound stripped back, tuneless racket sounds like a great idea. It's ironic that there's a song called "Sellout" here, and somehow I don't think the irony was intentional.
They're not just distributed by News Corp.; they're owned outright by them. Which means that they'll be pushed in a commercial MOR direction, just as happened to Frente and the Paradise Motel.
Apparently the vocalist is already guesting on some chart-dance project.
goop
goop
PM weren't pushed into radio-friendly territory: they were already there, milking the Cave cabaret dynamic for all it was worth. IIRC, they fell over because they couldn't make it in the UK - having seen one of their gigs, I can believe it.
Ouch.
Call me superficial and wrong, but don't you think that an album this sappy is destined for nothingness with a lead vocalist that's this large?
I hate to be judgemental, but I'm not really judging her for being big... but the record insdustry for becoming a "tits and teeth" show.
I don't like the music, but I genuinely can't figure out how an apperance-based industry would DREAM of welcoming something that's this physically unappealing.
-FU
Wow, could you guys be any more negative? I liked George instantly, and I haven't heard anything quite like them - blending what could just be regular old alternative folk with well chosen bass lines and excellent rhythm, plus the blow-your-mind-lovely voice of the lead. Of course, I've only heard two of their songs so far (truth & special ones), but they're just what I've been missing. And yeah, they were quite produced, but in a very, very good way. If you think George is crap, I'm curious to know what you think is good. Seriously, tell me....
NL
Oh, and by the way Frank, as long as they like the music, not everyone gives a fuck what the singer looks like...
Yes, I can be more negative: see the Sounds Like Sunset review (http://grudnuk.com/records/arch/001130.html) from last year. At least George have songs, as drenched in syrup as they are.
george are the most incredible band in australia, maybe ever, i may be 14, but i know a HELL of alot about music, AND IF YOU WERENT SO FUCKING SHALLOW, YOU WOULD SEE THAT IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT THE MEMBERS LOOK LIKE and there are people out there that think george are as incredible as i do, katies voice blew me away, and also blew the mind of my voice coach, who's a retired opera singer, she is VERY experienced and stricty well trained, and yes, if you think george and jabediah (of all bands) are crap tell me what u like!
i think george need more recognition and dont need assholes like you even listening to their music if you are going to diss them and be so shallow and negative.
As a general rule, I hate female vocalists. Nasal, whiny, put-it-out-of-its-misery kind of crap, most of them. But Noonan's ability to utilize her complete range (esp 'holiday') in such an appealing fashion is like nothing I have ever heard before. The lows are as fully controlled as the non-piercing highs. She isn't overpowering or over-theatrical or operatic at all. She pronounces the Australian "can't" rather than the American.
Sure, the music is over produced, but I only want the Katie Noonan show, especially if she goes back to her jazz roots.
No, she is not exactly anorexic, another reason why she should get out of this completely commercialized "goop" show.
Phrom BSt.
re: i'm always a big fan of graham's reviews. and the "our site, our rules" ethic is about as provincial and inbred as it gets! very sad indeed...
get yer hand off it graham - buddyhead beat you to it a long time ago...
anyone who thinks george is goop needs a good smack up the back of the head so they can stop being shallow, and realise that they are beautiful
you people are so shallow, i think katie is beautiful, no matter what she looks like, im literally proud of her .. for not caring what people think about her, not every has to look like the girls in magazines, and if she has a good voice i think she should go out n put it out there so everyone can see!.. she is beautiful no matter what u people say! i love george, their music rocks,, i recently went to their concert (perth) and if was fuckin mint.. if you people dont like there music or dont like her appearance dont listen to it .. and dont look at her .. just keep it to ur fickin self .. if you ahvent go something nice to say dont say ne thing at all .. u guys are fuckin rude .. and to the people that like george and think katie is beautiful no matter wot .. hugs n kisses out to u! coz u rock to xox mwaa!
"provincial and inbred as it gets!"
Nice to see we're all bigots here, Dave.
Oh, and Katie, learn to spell. SMS lingo is passe.
i totally agree with kate, katie noonan is unreal. the intricacy of thier music is beautiful, they are like no other.
everyone's entitled to their oppinions, but go with the old saying..."if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all"....