Aerial by Kate Bush
Kate Bush’s eighth studio album, Aerial, was released as a double album in November 2005
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. But what does it do to a musical career? Aerial was released after a twelve year hiatus, during which time Kate Bush devoted herself to her family and raising her son. This double album is a tour de force and for my taste is her finest since Hounds Of Love. The first disc is subtitled A Sea Of Honey and features a number of unconnected songs. The second disc, subtitled A Sky Of Honey, consists of single musical piece representing outdoor adventures over a 24 hour period.
Favourite track: The magnificent hit single “King Of The Mountain”
Wolfmother by Wolfmother
Wolfmother’s debut self-titled album was released in Australia in October 2005
Wolfmother received high rotation on Australian radio station Triple J upon release and won the station’s inaugural J Award. They weren’t afraid to proudly wear their influences on their sleeves and the album’s sound was reminiscent of early 70s hard rockers like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. The album reached the top 3 in Australia and achieved five times platinum in sales on the back of six singles released from the album. Although not as successful when released in the US & the UK it did achieve top 30 in the album charts in both markets.
Favourite track: Their highest charting single “Joker & The Thief”, which was also featured in the motion picture soundtrack for Shrek The Third
With Teeth by Nine Inch Nails
With Teeth was the fourth studio album released by the band and is catalogued as Halo 19
Featuring three singles and more rock-oriented songs, With Teeth, is probably the most accessible Nine Inch Nails album since Pretty Hate Machine. I found the songs to be quite catchy and the whole album a much more comfortable and enjoyable listen than either The Fragile of The Downward Spiral. Although I like those albums too they are a more challenging listen that you need to be in the mood for.
Favourite track: The album opener “All The Love In The World”
Tea & Sympathy by Bernard Fanning
Tea & Sympathy was the debut solo album of the former Powderfinger lead singer
Released while Powderfinger were on hiatus, Bernard Fanning had a ready-made audience for his debut album. Although a slightly different sound to his band it wasn’t far enough removed to deter their fanbase, so the album performed well, topping the Australian charts. It also won three ARIA Awards and an APRA Award. I liked it right from the first time I heard it and I still do.
Favourite track: “Songbird” which was released as the second single off the album
Mezmerize/Hypnotize by System Of A Down
Mezmerize was released on the 17th May 2005
Hypnotize was released on 22nd November 2005
Although released six months apart, Mezmerize and Hypnotize were two parts of the same whole. Mezmerize opens with an excerpt from the closing track of Hypnotize effectively bookending the two albums. I think they are both great albums and either would be capable of standing on its own two feet. The fact that they work as companion albums is an added bonus. I do wonder if it exhausted them creatively though, as ultimately the band pretty much fell apart and haven’t released any new original music since.
Favourite track: “B.Y.O.B.” an acronym for Bring Your Own Bomb
The Slabthrower 