Powderfinger Album: “Vulture Street”

I don't remember why I bought this album in the first place, but this morning I loaded it up on my computer and started listening. It's a GREAT record. It's a straight up rock record: a couple of crunchy rock guitars, bass drums, and a tenor singer. You can get that anywhere. But it's the songwriting that makes this record stand out. Powderfinger has come up with some very catchy pop songs to suport their classic rock sound. If you're looking for something that has that radio-rock feel of the 70's but with a modern, today kind of sound, you should buy this record. Yes, it's six years old. I think I'll buy a new one from them too.

From one of the few 'yanks' that review powderfinger albums - I must say that after praising their past works, I only have 'VERY good' (vs excellent/awesome) praise for this one. The powdies can rock, for sure, but a fair few of the songs just left me kind of wanting...and I really didn't want to *feel* this way, so I listened to this CD at least 20 times before writing this review, and I still feel the same. Even the somewhat rocky 'treat me like a dog' from Odyssey would be a welcome addition to this ordinary set from a band who I think is...well...one of the best in the WORLD.

So, why do I give it 4 stars? Well, because Powderfinger at (in my opinion) their not-so-best, is still GREAT. What a pain in the butt I can be! But hey, when Bernard and the boys get going, it is hard to resist. 'Beaches', 'On my Mind' and 'Rockin Rocks' are awesome (and what other band can use words like 'lexicon' and get away with it), and yes the CD 'flows' very well from song to song. Guess I was just looking for some more/better slower numbers akin to Odyssey 5 and Internationalist, but heck, these superstars have the all the right in the world to do up a rocker CD like this one, and the stakes were high being the biggest thing since Vegemite in Australia...

For some reason, the Powdies are simply ignored by US radio (except maybe in college), and it is a shame. I think because they are not 'flavor of the month' musically, the US record producers just chose to ignore. The Oils had their chance, but faded into oblivion in the US because all the CD's after 'Diesel and Dust' were just tooo 'Australian'. Not knockin the legends, but more or less trying to make a point about the US music market - if it ain't what they want, you are OUT (hey, ask Jimmy Barnes/Cold Chisel, one of my hero groups of Aussie rock). Powderfinger, as great as they are, just don't seem to 'fit' into what the music industry is here (CDs and radio). Beats the s*** out of me....

OFF my soapbox, this CD is a welcome to those who thought they got a bit too soft on their previous CD. There are really no duds on this, just a flow of steady high-quality rockers. There are some mellow moments (How far have we really come), but the majority are rockers. Those looking for a generous sprinkling of "My Happiness" - stay away. The other main criticisms seem to rotate around the lack of diversity on this CD, and I would have to agree...but lack of diversity does not make this no less than 4 stars in my book. Anything they do is gold in my book!!

I am absolutely astounded that any fan of the bands' previous work would find this album to be anything other than superb. This album signals a definite return to 'rock' for the 5 boys from Brisy but they've managed to do it without compromising their integrity and reputation as one of the most intelligent and innovative rock bands around today.

The album pays homage to some of the great rock bands of our time and artists that have no doubt had a major influence on the P'finger lads like Zeppelin, Bowie & AC/DC. It has a very AC/DC meets Led Zeppelin sound to it but it's foundations are still built on the signature Powderfinger hooks & melodies we've all come to love. The lyrics and song structures are as always, second to none and the album flows nicely through all 11 tracks. Bernard Fanning's unique voice never ceases to amaze me, and on this album it soars above each track with more conviction and intensity than on any previous album. The band sounds like they are geting better and better with age which is no small feat considering the quality of their previous work.

This is definitely one of those albums that you'll find yourself singing along to for days on end as the infectious melodies take a hold of your subconscious. It's rock n roll baby. 5 stars no question!

For those who haven't heard Powderfinger, the closest (American) proxy I can think of is Matchbox 20 -- but just imagine it with sincere, thoughtful lyrics and none of the pop cliches. Odyssey #5 is one of my all-time favorite CDs (didn't leave my CD changer for over a year) and to my surprse, Powderfinger's follow-up album deserves every bit as much praise (I didn't think it was possible). This is a great complement to Odyssey #5 -- in many ways similar but with a rougher, guitar-driven sound. Where the previous album was more moody and thoughtful, Vulture Street simply rocks!

I'm not sure whether the people who wrote the previous reviews are all old geezers or anti-rock, but I would have to politely disagree with their reviews. Before Vulture Street I was no Powderfinger die hard fan, I owned Odessey #5, but otherwise I couldn't care less about them. I recieved the evolved Vulture Street for my birthday, I had no intentions of buying it! At first it failed to do anything for me, I would feed it into my stereo just to hear 'On My Mind'. Three months later, I haven't fed my CD player anything but 'Vulture Street'.

This album is a unique blend of blues and rock. The album kicks off with 'Rockin' Rocks' which displays their transition to a heavier kind of rock. Songs such as 'Since You've Been Gone' have been emotionaly driven by Bernard Fanning's (lead singer) mourning for his brother who passed away with cancer. Bernard's vocals have strengthened since Odessey #5, but this goes to show just how adaptive his voice is. The album is worth buying just for Darren Middleton's addictive guitar solo in 'Pockets'.

The boys have shown that they can do it without the orchestra and numerous backing vocals, and this time they've opted for the basics; guitars, bass, drums and Bernard's orgasmic voice. And in person, they play even better. I won tickets to see them on their 'Live on Vulture Street' tour when it came to Perth and I must say.. If the boys swing by your way on tour, it's a must to go and see them play. In concert they are 10 times better. In australia, truely sucessful bands are determined from their ability to play well live. This indicates why Powderfinger are Australia's No.1 band.

After unwrapping Vulture Street, I have since bought 'Internationalist' and 'Double Allergic'. I admit that I wasn't fond of the CD when I first heard it, but repetitive listening soon fixed that. I would strongly recommend buying or stealing Vulture Street, for new and old fans, and fans of Australian music it is a must have. Well Done Powderfinger!!!