BIRDS OF TOKYO Birds Of Tokyo

BIRDS OF TOKYO

Birds Of Tokyo

EMI

Forget everything you know about Birds Of Tokyo – it’s time to rebuild. It’s a grand statement for any band, releasing a self-titled album – the one document so immaculate it deserves the band’s moniker for ever after. And it’s a decision most artists inevitably regret, for art is never static – a good artist is always out to better their last creation. But here, on their third album, you get the sense that this four-piece have truly stumbled upon that one document truly worthy of the title Birds Of Tokyo.

As an opening statement, Plans is the Perth outfit’s greatest moment to date. Replete with soaring vocals and the melodic rock smarts of the best in the business, this song is destined to go down a radio classic and propel the band into the great pantheon of Oz rock immortality. Indeed, as Powderfinger sign off from showbiz Birds Of Tokyo are ready to step up as the multi-platinum selling monoliths of the second decade of the 21st Century. And the rest of the album certainly holds up its end of the bargain. The Saddest Thing I Know dips into Silverchair’s classic sonic territory circa Diorama, while In The Veins Of Death Valley follows suit with a brooding rock attack (garnished in majestic strings). Circles, Wild At Heart, Waiting For The Wolves… each song deserves attention, but alas we’re out of space. So we’ll say this – Australia has been waiting for this record. Get it before your neighbour does.

_JULIAN TOMPKIN

X-Press Radio by X-Press Magazine

NEWS

X-PRESSIONS

And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more warped! If the fact that Australia’s ‘infallible’ political convention has well and truly shat itself wasn’t oddball enough, the madcap Axl Rose has gone and announced he’s bringing his post-millennium incarnation of Guns N’ Roses to Perth.

KEEP MOVING

The folks at One Movement For Music have finally lifted the lid on who is going to share their expertise at this year’s Musexpo Asia Pacific conference, and the line-up reads as a who’s who of the music industry. Hailing from various overseas locations, individuals such as Simon Renshaw, Henning Ahrens, Wu Jun, Jakomi Matthews, Jimmy Steal, Scott Schorr, Benji Rogers, Crispin Parry, Rob Graham, Mark Smutz Smith, Seven Webster, Neill Dixon, Rob Zifarelli, Monte Malone, and Ande MacPherson, will share their knowledge at Musexpo. On the home front, experts such as Molly Meldrum, Michael Chugg, Peter Hebbes, Ian James, Harvey Lister, Paul Piticco, Michael Harrison, Damien Slevinson, Dan Medland, Nick O’Byrne, Jaddan Commerford, Keith Welsh, Russell Thomas and Shayne Locke will share their thoughts on the music industry. To learn more about these fine speakers and all things One Movement, head to onemovementmusic.com.

WET AND SLIPPERY

Eighties rock legends Bon Jovi are set to invade Australia in December as part of their Circle World Tour.

TURNING JAPANESE

Mega successful local lads Birds Of Tokyo are back home at the beginning of October for their self-titled album tour.

[MORE NEWS]

CD REVIEWS

ZOLA JESUS

Stridulum EP

Sacred Bone Records/Midheaven

For an artist that has admittedly struggled with the limelight, Stridulum is a document that leaves Nika Roza Danilova – otherwise known as Zola Jesus– naked.

[MORE CD REVIEWS]

FASHION

AVATAR

West Australian based student designer Jeromy Lim will pack his bags for an overseas adventure next month to participate in the finals of a prestigious international fashion competition hosted by the Paris American Academy and the International Textile and Apparel Association. A student of Curtin University by day and Polytechnic West Institute by night, Lim is an extremely talented designer who isn’t afraid of hard work.