Curiouser and Curiouser

The great album onslaught continues this month with new releases by Josh Pyke and Kate Miller-Heidke. Both artists had albums out last year but have since recorded new material which I've heard previewed at their respective gigs earlier this year and late last year. Josh Pyke has taken on a nautical theme, apparently inspired by an interest in maritime history. Highlights of Chimney's Afire include The Summer, Lighthouse and You Don't Scare Me, but I really need to listen to this album a few more times before I can comment further.

Kate Miller-Heidke's album Curiouser was released yesterday and despite a mediocre review in The Age's EG section, it's quite addictive. The best tracks are those she played at her gig in May at the East Brunswick Club: God's Gift to Women which is a lot like Words, the sweet intentioned ballad Caught in the Crowd and Politics in Space. Another notable track is The Last Day on Earth. It lacks the more original moments at the high points of Little Eve like Little Adam and Mama but it's still a great album.