Almanac Music: Best Local Music Albums of 2023
Another fantastic year in local music, here are my top 10 albums for 2023-
Small Town Temple – Ella Hooper
Ella Hooper solo releases have been few and far between since the 3rd and most recent Killing Heidi record came out in 2004. The excellent 2014 album In Tongues was Hooper’s only full length solo release until this, her second album Small Town Temple some 9 years later. This is Ella returning to her roots as a folk/country/blues artist, a sound that couldn’t suit her more. The album is largely a tribute to her home town, Violet Town, and honors her late parents who both feature on the album. A magnificent record from start to finish, would love to hear much more from Ella in this vein.
Songs to add to your playlist- ‘Words Like These’, ‘Small Town Temple’, ‘Old News’, ‘Oh My Goddess!’
The Nashville Record – Catherine Traicos
“Life is not a dress rehearsal, it’s a show” sings Catherine Traicos on the track ‘Raging’ on her 9th album The Nashville Record. True to those words, Traicos is embracing a period of prolific creativity with great results. The Nashville Record, recorded in Nashville with some fantastic musicians as well as remotely in Perth during Covid times, is a dreamy, beautifully produced record that highlight’s Traicos’ intelligent, sharp lyrics as well as her wonderful voice, a superb addition to an already strong back catalogue.
Songs to add to your playlist- ‘Butterfly’, ‘Raging’, ‘Some Kind Of Night’, ‘Anyone’s Girl’
All These Walls – Gretta Ziller
Ziller’s 3rd album showcases an artist clearly enjoying her work, there’s everything from joyful and upbeat moments to beautiful ballads in an always interesting record that well showcases her powerful vocals and songwriting talent. Full of lush guitar throughout, even some fantastic brass on ‘Ain’t Even Your Lover’, Ziller continues to forge her own Americana sound in another step forward in her career.
Songs to add to your playlist- ‘Ain’t Even Your Lover’, ‘St Louis, Bones’, ‘Dear Damascus’
Taken By Force -CIVIC
A pulsating rock/punk album for every one of its 31 minutes and 45 seconds. The longest song, the 5 minute ‘Trick of the Light’ is an almost perfect Australian rock tune reminiscent of bands like Even or The Church that highlight’s Lewis Hodgson’s brilliant guitar work. The album is punchy, loud and delivers with each listen, singer Jim McCullogh demands your attention with his different adaptions depending on the song.
Songs to add to your playlist- ‘End Of the Line’, ‘Taken By Force’, ‘Trick Of the Light’, ‘Wars Or Hands of Time’
Calm Ya Farm – The Murlocs
As the title suggests, this is a more laid back offering than the hard rock sound on their 2022 record Rapscallion. An always interesting collection of blues rock songs that perfectly suit the voice (and harmonica) of frontman Ambrose Kenny-Smith. The third top notch album in three years from The Murlocs (and 7th album overall), the quality of songwriting is impressive given the prolific output of Kenny-Smith and bassist Cook Craig in their other even more prolific band.
Songs to add to your playlist- ‘Undone & Unashamed’, ‘Initiative’, ‘Russian Roulette’
The Answer Is Always Yes – Alex Lahey
Alex Lahey’s third album is full of her trademark dry wit and observations while also being her most open and vulnerable record with themes of not fitting in and moving on from former relationships. Yet there’s a positiveness to the album and Leahy impresses with her vocal range on these tracks. Another great indie pop/rock album from the Melbourne singer/songwriter.
Songs to add to your playlist- ‘They Wouldn’t Let Me In’, ‘Congratulations’, ‘You’ll Never Get Your Money Back’, ‘Shit Talkin’’
Black & White Town – Perry Keyes
Released late in the year, it’s been 5 long years since the last Perry Keyes record, 2018’s brilliant Jim Salmon’s Lament. Observational storytelling done by no one better in this country, these stories are tinged with emotion detailing the social displacement happening right now in Keyes’ part of inner Sydney. Another masterpiece from Sydney’s Springsteen.
Songs to add to your playlist- ‘Streets of a Black & White Town’, ‘ Last Night In Redfern Park’, ‘Inner-City Now’, ‘ Walking at Midnight Through the Lot’
Minor Gold – Minor Gold
Acclaimed artists in their own right, Tracy McNeil and Dan Parsons recording together as Minor Gold was always going to work, and boy did they deliver on this self titled debut. Exquisite harmonies abound in these bright songs made for summer, an album that rewards with each listen.
Songs to add to your playlist- ‘Way With Words’, ‘Don’t Change’, ‘Tumbleweed’, ‘Mona Lisa’
Deep Is the Way – Gena Rose Bruce
Gena Rose Bruce’s second album is quite experimental compared to her earlier work, her indie folk/rock sound still there, sometimes infused with a pop sound. A real highlight is the duet ballad with American folk singer Bill Callahan, despite the contrast in their voices the song works brilliantly well. The songs have some darker themes about lockdown times but show her growth as an artist, look forward to see where she heads next.
Songs to add to your playlist- ‘Destroy Myself’, ‘Foolishly In Love’, ‘Deep Is The Way’
Professional Misconduct – The Screaming Jets
The Screaming Jets released “Professional Misconduct” on October 6th, just weeks after founding member and bass player Paul Woosen sadly passed away aged just 56. Woosen co-wrote 9 of the 10 songs on the album, which while doesn’t break much new ground, is highlighted by Dave Gleeson’s often underrated vocals and the ace guitar from Scott Kingman and Jimi Hocking and holds up as the best Jets record in several years.
Songs to add to your playlist- ‘Nothing to Lose’, ‘Come Down’, ‘Speed Quack’
So much other fantastic Australian music released in 2023. Support our local artists by buying their albums, going to gigs and streaming their songs in 2024!
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Cricket and Collingwood tragic.
Twitter: @crackers134
Excellent list, Crackers.
And of course your list highlights how blessed we are in this country for talented female artists.
The Civic album has grown on me.
I need to check out Perry Keyes, I must admit that I missed that!
Cheers
Cheers Smokie.
The CIVIC album is a belter, only discovered them this year and got totally hooked on it. Perry Keyes is always brilliant!
Hi Luke
I trust all is well with you. Matty Q and I went to Catherine Traicos’ Merri Creek Tavern gig last night largely due to priase you have given her albums over the years. Excellent gig, and not just because she pulled out an excellent cover of the Springsteen song, Tougher than the Rest.
Sadly, there weren’t many at the gig but selfishly, more for us! Including an encore, finishing with a Jesus and Mary Chain cover.
Mostly songs from The Nashville Record and a few songs from across the last 15+ years. Including back-to-back, a song she wrote her husband before they were married, and Bitter Bones, a song for him after they broke up.
Loved it.
Thank you for your review Luke. As my music tastes remain languishing in the 1960;s I appreciate your knowledge of contemporary Australian music. I find Ella Hooper to be exceptionally talented although I’m still at the fringes of her music. Similarly, although far more recently Alex Lahey. Perry Keyes is unknown to me. However I have noted your reference to Sydney’s Springsteen and story telling. My early morning walks will now have an additional companion.
Cheers,
Wayne Matthews.
G’day Rick,
I’m thrilled you went to and enjoyed a Catherine Traicos show! I would have loved to have gotten to that one but was in Horsham coaching a junior rep cricket team that week. Her shows are always great.
G’day Wayne,
Thanks for your comment, look forward to hearing your thoughts on Perry Keyes from your walks!