Come one, come all.

Roll up and step inside the time machine of Payne.

Lend your ears as your host Craig Payne takes you on a journey through the decades across twelve tracks of classic-styled rock, featuring just a tickle of... Big Band...?

You read that right. Glenn Miller-style Big Band.

Now I’m not one with much time for anything, but I found the Big Band track Don’t Sing That Song thoroughly enjoyable. It’s probably my favourite track on the album. In a way I wanted more in the same style, but it was the novelty of the track and the execution that made it stand out from the rest of the more rock-oriented songs. That and the sweet melancholy of the lyrics.

That time machine comment wasn’t a throwaway line referencing the pre-Nirvana style of Guitar, Bass, Drum music Craig Payne makes either.

Every track on Good News feels like a step back into another decade, back when music was musical and not noise; Waiting for You - the Rembrandt's 90's, All This and More and Crazy Susan II - the Pink Floyd 70's, Come and Stay - the pre-Jesus Cliff Richard 50's, Don’t Sing That Song - the 40's...

Fitting that it all culminates with the penultimate track All Roads Lead Me Here. Unintentional though the reference may be, it’s a good reminder that the success of Craig Payne stands of the shoulders of the rock forefathers before him, and this album is a worthy tribute to the music we grew up with and love.

I’d say this album was experimental in the way it crosses a broad range of classic rock styles, but Craig isn’t really experimenting. What he does he does well, where experimental albums are generally a bit more hit and miss by their very nature.

I think it’s more a case of Payne wearing his influences on his sleeve. Most prevalent being the Beatles, the Shadows (I feel their vibe on the track Hey Mister), the Cliff Richard... or anyone of his ilk as far back as Bill Haley & his Comets. All tied together with Craig’s British Invasion era Brit-Rock style.

If you’ve followed Craig across the years you know what you’ve come for, and you know what to expect. Well, good news everyone. Like Burt Bacharach, Payne’s Good News stays true to the distinct style of his back catalogue and delivers yet again. Craig Payne Plays His Hits. It’s a fun album, which must have been fun to orchestrate, which is kind of what it’s like making your own music. Recommended for those that pine for yesterday. Five stars.

You can hear the Good News on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and streaming sites everywhere.

• 1
  Anxiety Club
• 2
  Devilskin
• 3
  Coridian
• 4
  Take Hold
• 5
  Skinny Hobos
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Head Like A Hole
• 8
  Shihad
• 9
  Villainy
• 10
  Katchafire

• 
  When The Cats Away @ Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington - 21/04/2024
• 
  Luke Buda @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 20/04/2024
• 
  Phoebe Rings @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 20/04/2024
• 
  Geoff Ong @ Big Fan, Auckland - 19/04/2024

• 1
  TOO SWEET
  Hozier
• 2
  BEAUTIFUL THINGS
  Benson Boone
• 3
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 4
  I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
  Artemas
• 5
  SATURN
  SZA
• 6
  STICK SEASON
  Noah Kahan
• 7
  END OF BEGINNING
  Djo
• 8
  LIKE THAT
  Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
• 9
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 10
  WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
  Ariana Grande

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