Beth King and the Hemingway Collective – Powerfully,
Silently (Independent)

I’d first heard of Beth King because of my volunteer work at
PBS fm, come up across the cd, well actually the artwork grabbed me in. Little
did I know that she had worked with Frank Pearce who in Khristian Mizzi band
who I’ve done stuff with then got played the album by Shelley Segall. So that
in mind, I tip my toe into the album for a full listen and what I get is an
album that is delightfully sweet touching in places and has lovely haunting
overtone over it.  It starts off with the
song Apples which is a beautiful song that has a lovely touch of the flute.
Beth voice is beautifully sweet and soft and accommodates the music well. Songs
like So I Crossed This River is a little folk ditty where Beth voice reminds me
of Loreena McKennitt and the Flute is used so well here to great affect,
alongside the keyboard & guitar. Dribbles is a great track and Beth voice
is really good here, She can sing and sing really well. Quagmire is one of the
tracks that use the Saxophone and it’s used really well and the backing vocals
work well with the track. Willow Away finishes off the album well, the guitar
playing is really good, the vocals are excellent; the flute is a real nice
touch as it is through out the album. This is a fine folk album, mainly because
it’s produced well and also because Beth is a really good singer and voice
suits the music and with the combination of her amazing backing band you get
album that perfect to listen to anytime. 
If you have something that is written and produced well, they will come
and add some solid artwork and good packing is a huge bonus. I say get this now
and support good local Aussie talent like Beth King and the Hemingway
Collective.

Juke Kartel – Levolution (Carved Records/MGM)

Juke Kartel are back with their second album, now living in
LA they have produced one of the finest rock albums of the year.  These guys are Aussie and they have one
amazing front man Toby Rand. The album starts off with the energetic anthem
Anybody Out There that shows off the songwriting, vocals and musicianship.  Songs like Bullet Wearing Trademark Clothes
are just rock anthems waiting for radio play and this one does scream it and so
does Road Of Glass & Throw It Away, If Only is one of the big rock ballads
on the album, just as is one of my favorites On Fire where the songwriting
vocals and melodies and musicianship are just spot on. The Sign is just another
edgy melodic rock tune that has everything perfect in place, Toby vocals are
incredible. Soulshaper is probably the most laid back tune on the album and
Toby vocals alongside some acoustic guitar works with a bit of drum and bass to
the mix. December is just another good rock track and Toby vocals are solid
here. Find Out finishes off the album well and it’s a good solid way to
finishes off. I’m feeling like a lot of people are feeling that rock coming
back, people want good vocals, and good melodies and rhythms and want to rock
out. To me a lot of the stuff today isn’t delivering what I’m wanting and
feeling but boy did this album do this to me, It’s incredible one of the finest
modern rock albums I’ve heard in years. 
I’m hooked, a new fan and can’t wait to see them live again soon. Rock
is back and this is helping it.