Pure. Bloody. Genius.
Simon Mundy | Melbourne, Australia | 09/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tim Rogers is as close as to our (read Australians or - even luckier - Melburnians) unofficial laureate as we'll get. All the beer-buzzing, ear-shattering loveliness of a sticky Melbourne pub can be evoked even within the first minute of track 1 (extra kudos to name-checking RRR's king of the telephone talkback, Mr Tony Biggs). From then on it just gets better. It's not 'clever'. It's not 'oh-so-2005'. It just shakes bits that should be shaken vigorously and then some. Mr Rogers' trademark chords have been matched by Shane O' Mara's absolute mastery of the riff, Stu Speed's thumping lines and Ian Kitney's flak attack. Superbly satisying as yet another example of what's on offer during a typical night in Melbourne's finest establishments (while there still IS a live music scene, but that's another story).
Ghost songs is comparable with some of the most melancholy, stripped-back sounds of country music in the past 2 decades (that has obviously influenced this record) - except that the sound has been well and truly stamped with an Australian passport. Ghost songs is a sad suburban living room, a cold city street and a long stretch of road on a trip you didn't necessarily want to take. It's a sound that makes you ache, but is difficult to turn away from. The band has an amazing sensitivity to it, and the 'honorary onions' (Tim's singing partners - the gorgeous Ms Simpson, Ms Barnard and... Missy something... :)) give a restrained and fitting accompaniment. Poor [...]. It doesn't feel right that songs this good need to come from something that hurts that much, but you've got to admire the way he turns his phrase and sings... well... honestly. It isn't always pretty, but it's real. And there's certainly not enough of that kind of songwriting around. Hair-on-back-of-neck stuff.
If yer looking for an unbiased review then this is the last place to look - I've been a fan ever since I first heard the unmistakable crackle of the Rogers chorus some 15 years ago. But these two records have nearly surpassed the existing 15 years worth of songwriting in a single evening's listen. I guess I was lucky and heard 'em live before I heard them on the CD ;-)
Push the table back, crack open a cold one and turn it up. Long live the Australian songwriter."
Best Australian release this year
RALPH | Melbourne, Australia | 03/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What can you say about Tim Rogers that hasn't been said ..the man is a legend. A truly great writer of rock songs, with wit and humour...who is not afraid of wearing his heart on his sleeve...and he has a kick ass band.
I read somewhere that Tim is considered Australias Paul Westerberg...but gaving heard all Mr Westerbergs albums (which are sometimes very good , but sometimes pretty bad ) he is more like Paul Westerberg on Viagra...but with balls...and a better band.
"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1