Anxiety Club - Album Review: Old Dreams
A little while back I was fortunate
enough to hear the single Carousel, and now Wellington-based Anxiety Club are
back with the album. As I said in the earlier review, due to various reasons Kev
Fitzsimons (Thom Cross) and Clint Meech (Matt Langley band) found themselves as
the only band members left, and with Kev suffering an injury which meant he
could not play guitar they could either quit or bring in some others to help
out. Luckily, they chose the latter and with the assistance of Chris Armour
(Miles Calder band) on guitars, Andrew Bain (Fur Patrol) on bass and LA-based
beat-maker Zach Simao the result is a polished debut which has a great deal of
Eighties influences in its vocal-heavy pop album.
There are times when I think we are firmly back into the days of hairspray and shoulder pads, as the vocals are polished with keyboards and beats combining in the way we all remember, but these guys also have a wicked sense of humour so one is never sure what is going to come next. Take Lonely Dancing for example. It sounds like Spandau Ballet crossed with ABC, and then after about two minutes we get the sound of the internet!! Being an IT geek I have the sound of a modem connecting saved on my phone as a ringtone but must confess that I have never heard it put on a song before! Then there is Espresso Martini, which has rippling synths in the background (solid electro pop while over the top we have a voice of an automated fitness instructor who begins by providing encouragement before becoming quite vicious and finally giving up and telling the victim that the exercise is pointless and is the reason why their wife left them so they should just sit down and drink as espresso martini.
The vocals are clear, melodic, with keyboards always at the heart of every song, with the other elements added on top. Hey Hey Hey is one of the highlights with far more guitar and bass, and one can easily imagine this being changed into something quite different if the guys wanted to take it in a heavier direction, and is a wonderful pop number which surely is destined for the charts if released as a single as it is catchy and a real earworm. This is a nice pop album, with strong songs and arrangements which concentrate on the vocals, highly polished and well worth a listen.
About Anxiety Club
The band originally bonded over a common love for alt-country, adding their own unique twist of indie alt-pop pop and grunge, with electronic influences. They made their mark with the singles Be Still and I Don’t Want Anyone (But You), alongside a series of triumphant shows, including their sold-out debut at The Wine Cellar in Auckland. They’ve also chalked up acclaimed performances at numerous New Zealand festivals and events, from Coastella and New Plymouth’s TSB Festival of Lights, to playing at Gardens Magic in Wellington.
In October 2018 Anxiety Club continued their winning streak with the release of their first studio-recorded EP Black Heart.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Anxiety Club
Releases
Other Reviews By Kev Rowland
Shepherds Reign - Single Review: Ua Masa’a
23 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
When it comes to different cultures and music there is no doubt we are incredibly blessed in Aotearoa, and surely anyone into metal, wherever they are in the world, are aware of Alien Weaponry and the way they blend groove metal and their Maori roots. However, what may not be known by those outside New Zealand is that there is another band down here who are also making huge waves in their own country, Shepherds Reign.
Read More...
Brawler NZHC - EP Review: Hard Truths
23 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
Over the last 12 months I have been fortunate enough to catch Hamilton hardcore outfit Brawler NZHC a few times, and although I have always been a little concerned that singer Joe Steiner is going to pass out before he finally removes the balaclava, I always know we are in for a high energy show with plenty of angst and passion. They have also impressed NZ hardcore royalty along the way, with Luke Manson of Xile joining in on vocals for Pay The Price.
Read More...
Mice on Stilts - Album Review: I Am Proud of You
22 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
Some ten years ago I was a member of the ProgArchives Crossover Team (yes, to be allowed to be included on PA each band is judged by a committee). We were asked to pass our critical eyes and ears over the somewhat strangely named Mice on Stilts and I was somewhat surprised, nay amazed, to discover they hailed from Auckland.
Read More...
Gig Review #1: Homegrown 2023 @ Wellington Waterfront - 18/03/2023
19 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
I have been waiting for this festival for ages, well over 12 months in fact as last year’s had to be cancelled due to Covid, but finally it was here. I flew down to Wellington in the morning and caught up with the MNZ crew of Reef, River (read River's review here), Amanda, Garry, and Bevan for brunch: two reviewers and four photographers meant we were one of the largest media contingents at Homegrown 2023.
Read More...
On Tick - EP Review: Planet Chrome
17 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
When On Tick released their debut album, Nothing New, towards the end of 2021 they were already in a state of change as it was recorded as a trio of brothers Brendan (vocals and drums) and Aidan O'Loughlin (vocals, guitar) along with bassist Matt Hammond, who also produced it, but they had now brought in Matt Perry to play bass while Matt H had moved to lead guitar. In 2023 things have changed again as Matt H is now concentrating on Pale Flag, while Matt P is also not involved any longer, so it is back to just Brendan and Aidan.
Read More...
Written By Wolves - Single Review: Give 'Em Hell
16 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
Written by Wolves may not have released any new material in 2022, but everyone knew the boys were working on their next album, and if you were fortunate enough to see them play then you will have already heard Give 'Em Hell as they were using this track as the opening number. In many ways this encapsulates everything which is Written By Wolves in one song – if you want to know why so many of us keep raving about them, then this will demonstrate why.
Read More...
Anthony Coulter - Single Review: Younger
16 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
Here we have the latest single from Anthony Coulter’s album Pilgrimage To the Sea, where he says he is not getting any younger, something I can really relate to given I am 60 in just a few months and certainly act a lot more than I used to. Mind you, I don’t think every day is the same, which is the same for Anthony who yearns to be younger.
Read More...
BAkeR - EP Review: Eternal Now
16 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
Mike Baker has been involved in both the Australian and NZ music scenes since the Eighties, running the import/export operations for Australia’s Hot Records at one point, releasing an album himself as a member of Not Really Anything and also managing Glide. Last year he created his alter ego BAkeR and started recording this five-track EP, entitled Eternal Now, with Daniel Hewson (the son of the late Paul Hewson of Dragon).
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- BOY'S A LIAR PT. 2
PinkPantheress And Ice Spice - FLOWERS
Miley Cyrus - KILL BILL
SZA - LAST NIGHT
Morgan Wallen - DIE FOR YOU (REMIX)
The Weeknd And Ariana Grande - SURE THING
Miguel - PEOPLE
Libianca - ESCAPISM.
RAYE feat. 070 Shake - PLAYERS
Coi Leray - CALM DOWN
Rema And Selena Gomez
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
