Smoke & Mirrors by The Radiators
Smoke & Mirrors was the seventh and final studio album released by The Radiators
Australian pub rockers the Radiators, more commonly known as the Rads, have been around for what feels like forever. This is probably because they haven’t stopped their constant gigging since their inception in 1978. I have always been a big fan and have seen them live 11 times. I was pleasantly surprised when this album came out, as it had been seven years since their self-titled previous album (although a couple of EPs had been released in between). It has the sound of their classic material and I am sure it would be enjoyed by fans of the band even if it didn’t win them any new ones.
Favourite track: “Ocean Blue”, in some ways reminiscent of “Summer Holiday” from their 1980 debut
Riding With The King by B.B. King & Eric Clapton
What do you do when two of your favourite blues artists record an album? Buy it of course!
As soon as I heard this album was coming out I made a note in my desk calendar (they used to be a thing once upon a time), to remind me to go out and buy it on the day of release. I was not disappointed and I adore enjoy every track on it. Featuring predominantly revisited tracks from King’s earlier career and cover versions, B.B. shares the lead vocal duties with Clapton on most of the album. Unsurprisingly the album was a success achieving double platinum sales in the US, reaching the top 5 in the album charts around the world and winning a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album.
Favourite track: The cover of “Marry You” originally recorded by Doyle Bramhall II, who also plays on the album
Brutal Planet by Alice Cooper
Brutal Planet was the fourteenth solo studio album released by Alice Cooper in June 2000
Going for a much darker and heavier sound than his 90s material was an interesting change in direction for Alice. This was almost industrial metal and although it did not appeal to some listeners, it really worked for me. The album features regular contributor Ryan Roxie on guitar and KISS drummer Eric Singer.
Favourite track: “Pessi-Mystic” just for the lyric “I’m so pissed-off-istic“
Odyssey Number Five by Powderfinger
Odyssey Number Five was the most successful album of Powderfinger’s career
Powderfinger’s fourth studio album, Odyssey Number Five, won the band several ARIA Music Awards including Highest Selling Album, Best Group and Best Rock Album. Four singles were released, the second of which “My Happiness”, won the ARIA for Single Of The Year and peaked at #4 in the Australian music charts as well as topping radio station Triple J’s Hottest 100. I was already a fan of the band before the album so they just continued to grow in stature for me.
Favourite track: “Like A Dog”
Daisies Of The Galaxy by Eels
Daisies Of The Galaxy was the third studio album released by American rock band Eels
In my opinion this is a fine album of catchy pop music on the whole with some darker edges. Along with the usual suspects of Mark Oliver Everett aka E playing the majority of the instruments and Butch on drums, the album features guest musicians such as Grant-Lee Phillips and REM’s Peter Buck. The album achieved gold record sales in the UK, Belgium and Australia. It also made the top 40 in Ireland, France and Norway.
Favourite track: “Mr E’s Beautiful Blues”
The Slabthrower 