Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Race for the Prize

A couple weeks ago ATR tried to tip the a few second batch of artists for the inaugural Golden Plains Festival. And for those new to our blog, or who can't be bothered scrolling down the page to check it out - how do you think our tip fared?

Answer: Complete failure!

But that doesn't deter us here at ATR. We are resilient. We keep our heads high despite countless body blows. We struggle through adversity. And above all - we believe we are reliable.

So, if you are betting people you should know that the next big collect is only one flutter away and look no further than ATR for the next hot tip. Our target this time - the Australian Music Prize Shortlist 8 which will be announced tomorrow with releases selected from the current shorter longlist of 25.

To me a few Victorian based artists stick out immediately (sorry if we seem a bit biased to you Sydneysiders, but I say this with complete objectivity!). Last year The Drones took out the AMP with their beautifully messy and ferocious dirgey romp - Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By. This year, they released Gala Mill, a record which IMO is better than last year's outstanding release in almost every way. Steeped in Australia's convict past, this record is distinctly Australian (and that is nothing to cringe about) yet so refreshingly original. And the torturous lyrics are stunning. Take I'm Here Now and the stark storytelling of Sixteen Straws for example.

An even more poetic Melbourne band, Augie March, should also be assured of a spot on the shortlist thanks to the bizarrely named yet thoroughly rewarding Moo, You Bloody Choir. Augie's gloriously poignant record is rich full of emotions. Less of a pastiche than Strange Bird and more consistent than Sunset Studies, this record see Augie at their finest, and should also see them rewarded. (And a sidenote to all those %$#& idiots that claim Augie March have sold out - commercial success does not mean inferiority!)

The other Melbourne acts that are a strong chance of being included are Sodastream, thanks to their calm, warm, hushed tones on Reservations; NME favourites, the creepy yet strangely melodic UK based Howling Bells for their self-titled record, and newly crowned JJJ listeners' favourite album for the year, Like Drawing Blood by Gotye.

So if that takes up five of the spots then what will the other three releases be? Although ATR hasn't heard this record, one would be hard-pressed to argue that Hilltop Hoods won't get a nod especially given they took out the J Award a couple of months ago.

Despite a savaging from Pitchfork after Gravity Won't Get You High was released in the US, I think The Grates will get a spot for their exuberant and energetic effort. And for a bit of a smoky I'm going to go with Melbourne alt-country heroes Tobias Cummings and the Long Way Home for Join the Dots.

Outsiders:

Bob Evans - Surburban Songbook
Dane Tucquet - Bury Me in My Headphones
Dappled Cities - Granddance
Gerling - 4

So kids, do you think ATR has got it right or will we be facing embarrasment for the second time in almost as many weeks? Let us know!

2 Comments:

Blogger Dave said:

I wouldn't be surprised if Sodastream missed out, despite that I love that album. I think You Am I are pretty likely to get in as elder statesmen, despite that I haven't really heard much of their album. And Blasko seems to have a lot of friends. My tip for the 8:

The Drones
Augie March
Hilltop Hoods
Dappled Cities (Fly?)
Howling Bells
You Am I
Gotye
Sarah Blasko

Others with a chance:

Sodastream
Lisa Gerrard
The Grates

Unlucky but without a chance:

Brendan Gallagher
Gerling
Black Cab
Tobias Cummings and the Long Way Home

11:23 am  
Blogger Pat said:

I don't really like Blasko's stuff and I've read a couple of horrible reviews of her record so I left her out. I guess it's pretty hard to pick what the judges are thinking though, especially when the award is in its infancy.

I also wouldn't be surprised if Sodastream missed out, but its just such a great record that it deserves to be in there. Wishful thinking I guess.

It was hard to leave Dappled Cities out especially when there seems to be such a buzz around them. I'll guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow.

11:48 am  

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