Reviewed by Michael Dalton

"And that dismal cry rose slowly and sank slowly through the air full of spirits melancholy and eternity's despair and they heard the words it said; Pan is dead - Great Pan is dead."

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Browning's words can be found inside the gatefold cover of Fordlandia, the towering new project written, produced and arranged by Icelandic native Johann Johannsson. But before you open it, look at that cover: it's dark yet defined with graphics of a non-descript synchronized mechanism. Layered over the top are Roman columns yet the columns stop halfway across the image. Turn the cover over and you'll notice the design starts to lose its uniform construction. It's not indicative of the flawless aural concoction inside…it's a visual reminder of the disaster that was Fordlandia, Henry Ford's plantation that was created to farm rubber but failed due to appalling working conditions and technical misjudgement.

Reviewed by John Willsteed

Let's say that it's different. No Jack Bruce or Aynsley Dunbar or Steve Winwood. Though Bob Ezrin is still producing (though this time hand-in-hand with Hal Willner) and Steve Hunter is still on guitar. It's different. Smaller string ensembles but bigger sounding guitars, a younger choir but twice the size.And Lou's singing? Second only to Dylan in his rigorous refusal to sing his songs the same way twice, Lou talks his way through this - almost edging into Shatner territory. However, it's not that odd: re-invention underpins this CD, as it did the original. Berlin, on it's release in 1973, contained reworkings of a slew of Velvet's songs.

Reviewed by Samantha Hagaman

Imaginary Things is five piece pop rock group Delamare's debut EP. The quintet formed early this year in Adelaide, and for a fledgling band, their offering is surprisingly cohesive and realised. The EP kicks off with their debut single, Your Favourite Song, then slides into the title track Imaginary Things. Both songs are good enough to be common radio fodder, with Matt Khabbaz (vocals/guitar) delivering a strong performance, well supported by the rest of the Delamare gang.

Reviewed by John Willsteed

These two releases are from Naturestrip, who describe their intentions thus:

"The focus is on sonic art, noise, songs, ephemera - by artists who respond in some way to environmental sound - through field recordings, unusual microphonics, humming along to the background noise..."

Naturestrip releases have had an aesthetic and conceptual range from raw documentation to sound sculpture, concrete music to instrumental and electronic constructions; in which the idea of 'nature' somehow resonates.

Reviewed by Jason Reed

Joan as Police Woman with Adrian Deutsch

The Globe Theatre, Fortitude Valley: October 11

I must admit I am a relative newcomer to Joan as Police Woman. Having been lucky enough to see them live at the Globe Theatre, I found myself captured by their music, tight sound and outstanding talent as both musicians and performers. I can now safely call myself a fan.

Reviewed by Leisa Howlett

The second album from Icelandic singer-songwriter Emiliana Torrini takes us on a fruitful summer journey. Working with her long-term collaborator and producer Dan Carey, Me and Armini encompasses the sweet yet sarcastic personality that Torrini's popularity has hinged on. Her sultry but naïve voice is propelled into a no-nonsense pop record, with Carey's quirky indie/folk partnering her raw talent. Torrini hasn't strayed from the chill-out pop melodies of Sunny Road and Heartstopper, featured on her 2005 debut Fisherman's Woman. But why would she?

Reviewed by Bronte Coe

The first few frenetic bars of Journey to the West is a sound that could only be likened to standing on a busy street corner in Beijing, feeling the city pulsate around you. With all the dramatic influence a Chinese opera can afford, this is the story of the Monkey King as you have never heard it before. Mix European and Chinese musicians and vocalists, with the composition of Damon Albarn and the visual design of Jamie Hewlett (creators of Gorillaz), and you get something very unique indeed.

Reviewed by Kirsten Seale

End of Fashion with The Seabellies: The Gaelic Club, Sydney

"Take them seriously and you may be doomed." I know very little of Perth band End of Fashion, other than they are touring in anticipation of the new album, Book of Lies, so I carry this advice from a friend as I head off into a hot Sydney night. I am intrigued by their name. It does suggest a certain ironic detachment from the music business and its satellite industries.

Reviewed by Adam Dodd

Like a lot of Australian guys around my age, I'm a You Am I fan from way back. Way back in the early nineties, that is, when they would play all ages shows on a Saturday afternoon with bands like Tumbleweed, and admission was somewhere around the eight dollar mark. Or free at Brisbane's 4ZZZ FM Market Day. They were one of the most exciting live bands in Australia for a while there, and would often cap off a set of grungy rock n' roll with some good old fashioned gear smashing, ala The Who. I've grown up with You Am I - they've been a prominent part of the mainstream Australian musical landscape at least since 1995's Hi Fi Way - and this makes it a little difficult for me to review their eighth studio album, Dilettantes.

Reviewed by Michael Dalton

Calexico (Joey Burns and John Convertino) have taken a holiday. It's thoroughly evident with the varying flavours that appear on their latest release Carried To Dust which swims with mood pieces conjuring up cinematic visuals. Their previous offering, Garden Ruin, was a lukewarm collection of ditties that fans considered a misstep; transitional moments that recalled Sergio Leone's The Good, The Bad and The Ugly were all lovers could find. However, this time out faith has been restored. The sun's shining, the moodswings fit the landscape and galloping melodies underscore the recording.