Summer Down Under 2002
A Burn Baby Burn Mix CD

Artwork

Booklet Insert

Hi everyone. I figured I'd better give you some background on the artists and songs in this mix, as well as a little about me and why I chose them. First off, my name is Kris and I'm an American globetrotter recently of London, England but currently living in Sydney, Australia. My weblog is located at http://www.web-goddess.org. Rather than bore you with crap from my CD collection that you've all heard a million times, I decided to try to introduce you to some of the exciting stuff I've been hearing Down Under. These bands were all big during Summer 2002 (i.e. December/January, for those of you still grappling with the whole "Southern Hemisphere" thing), which constitutes my pathetic attempt to tie in to the official "theme". Anyway, there are a number of different styles and genres represented here, and I don't expect anybody to like everything. Instead I just hope you find a group or two that you enjoy. Without further ado...

1. "Breathe in Now" by George
George are a Brisbane-based band that make music that is hard to define. I first saw them on the "Pepsi Chart" show, which is kinda like "Top of the Pops" (only Australian). They caught my attention because the singer, Katie Noonan, doesn't look how you expect her to look. Listen to the song. You're picturing some willowy, flowery Sarah McLachlan type, right? Instead she's a big girl. A big girl with a very beautiful voice. This is one of my favorite songs on the whole CD. I love the way it starts out very low-key and then builds to a rapturously happy ending. They have a website at http://www.george.net.au.

2. "Not Pretty Enough" by Kasey Chambers
Kasey Chambers was everywhere this summer. She's technically a country singer, but she's got spiky hair and a pierced lip, so I'll classify her as a cross-over artist. She won, like, every recording award last year and her album's been #1 forever. This is her big song at the moment. I kinda like it, but the raspiness of her voice occasionally bugs me. Apparently her first album was favorably received in the States, so expect this one to show up sometime this year. She's got a website at http://www.kaseychambers.com if you wanna check her out.

3. "Weir" by Killing Heidi
Killing Heidi are a brother and sister band from Violet Town in Victoria. They were "discovered" by Triple J, which is Australia's big alternative public radio station. I like what I've heard of them so far. This song starts out real sweet and then quickly begins to rock. It's the kind of thing I would've loved in high school. (I'd direct you to their website, but it sucks.)

4. "Happy Messy Love" by Rachael Kane
I can't find out anything about this artist on the Web, but I'm a big fan of the song. It's just poppy and fun. Every time I turn on the radio I heard it. Rachael Kane must be pretty new.

5. "I Should've Never Let You Go" by Bardot
Bardot are the Australian Popstars band, and as such were the world's first Popstars band. That said, I like this song much more than I should. You can check out their "assets" at http://www.bardot.net.au.

6. "Strawberry Kisses" by Nikki Webster
Nikki Webster was the annoying little blond-haired moppet that performed as the "Hero Girl" during the Sydney 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony. Her handlers have evidently been trying to parlay that into a bigger career, as she's been everywhere this summer. Not only is she trying to make it as a teen pop star, but she's also starring as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" at the big Sydney casino. If you like "Strawberry Kisses", check out her official site at http://www.nikkiwebster.com.au for more bubblegum fluff.

7. "Calypso" by Spiderbait
Spiderbait are another weird band from out in the bush. Their style of music changes with each new album release. This was their first big song, and it's my boyfriend's favorite. It's a little bit punk, a little bit John Denver. Official site is at http://www.spiderbait.com.au.

8. "Never Had So Much Fun" by Frenzal Rhomb
Frenzal Rhomb are a hilarious Sydney punk band. This is a really fast, really happy song. If you're ever in need of a laugh, read the "Bio" page at their website http://www.frenzalrhomb.com.au.

9. "Turn Up Your Stereo" by Eskimo Joe
Eskimo Joe are a Perth-based punk band. At first the singer's voice during the chorus really annoyed me. Now I love it. I love the "whoa-oh-oh!" parts. It's a good one to listen to on the treadmill at the gym. I'd give you their website address, but it's shitty and won't let you in if you're not using IE, so I won't.

10. "Nobody Likes a Bogan" by Area-7
Okay, some explanation is needed. A "bogan", according to my Aussie man, is a "derogatory term for a person from the western suburbs of Sydney, usually characterised as being unsophisticated, uncouth, and typically wearing certain distinguishing items of clothing, such as flannel shirts and sheepskin boots." In other words, it's what we Americans call a "redneck". A "stubbie" is a small glass bottle of beer. "Barnsey" refers to Jimmy Barnes of "Cold Chisel" fame (a rock band). Anyway, that should help you understand the song a little better. Area-7 are a big fun ska group in the "Mighty Mighty Bosstones" tradition and this song is zooming up the charts. It's fun to bounce around to. Their website is at http://www.area7.com.au.

11. "Don't Call Me Baby" by Madison Avenue
You've probably heard this one, since it went to the top of the dance charts everywhere. I betcha didn't know they were Australian though! Madison Avenue are made up of a DJ and singer from Melbourne. Their site's at http://www.madisonave.com.au.

12. "Dare You To Be Happy" by Tina Arena
This is a happy silly dance song. Tina Arena was born in Melbourne and was a child TV star before breaking into pop music in the 80's. She's been away for a few years (starring in musicals and releasing albums in France, randomly) but now she's back with a vengeance. Check her out at http://www.tinaarena.com.au.

13. "In Your Eyes" by Kylie Minogue
Yeah, I know I said I wouldn't put on Kylie, but I just had to. She's everywhere! She did that song with Robbie Williams! You just can't get her out of your head! And even though she's practically British now and she tries to pretend like "Neighbours" never happened, she's still Australia's awkward little soap star diva. Her online presence is at http://www.kylie.com.

14. "! (Song Formerly Known As)" by Regurgitator
Regurgitator are another hard-to-classify band. Their albums range from alternative rock to 80's pop to electronica to hiphop. This song is from their album "Unit". As you can guess from the title (and instantly upon hearing the song), it's making fun of Prince. I like it. There's a great unofficial band website at http://www.regurgitator.live.com.au.

15. "Stop Calling Me" by Shakaya
Shakaya are, like, the Destiny's Child of Australia. The group is made up of two girls from Cairns. They're being billed as the next big thing, and this is their first single. I kinda like the song, even though I find the lyrics unintentionally hilarious. "My girls say you're a stalker." Indeed. Website at http://www.shakaya.com.

16. "Buggin' Me" by Selwyn
Selwyn is a 19-year-old Perth-based R&B artist. His stuff isn't really my cup of tea, but a lot of other folks seem to like it. He's getting ready to launch internationally, so you may well be hearing this on the radio in 2002. His website is at http://www.selwyn.tv.

17. "Amazing" by Alex Lloyd
Though you wouldn't guess it from this song, Alex Lloyd used to be in an Australian heavy metal band. Nowadays he's doing the sensitive solo artist thing. This is the first big single from his new album, which will debut in the U.S. in July. I like it. Based on the beginning I thought it was more of an R&B groove, but then it completely surprises you. His site's at http://www.alexlloyd.com.

18. "Chemical Heart" by Grinspoon
Grinspoon are a rock band from northern New South Wales. They claim to be influenced by bands like Silverchair and Helmet. To me, they sound like they're straight outta 1994. They totally take me back to my alterna-teen high school days. The band is named after a pro-marijuana activist, which I find amusing. You can read more about them at http://www.grinspoon.com.au.

19. "The Greatest View" by Silverchair
You remember Silverchair, right? They had that album "Frogstomp" back in the 90's and everybody thought they were cool because they were, like, 13? Well now they're 22 and this is the first single from their new album. It just debuted at #1 on the Australian charts, so I imagine it'll get some play in the U.S. as well. This is a big loud rock song, and I like it better than I like most in this genre. Oh, and I saw the lead singer on TV recently, and he's a total freak. So that's interesting. Their website is at http://www.chairpage.com.au.

20. "Mutha Fukka on a Motorcycle" by Machine Gun Fellatio
Okay, now we get to the weirder stuff. I LOVE this song! I like the weird rhythmic distortions in the background. I like the faux vinyl record sound. I like that it only has about ten words. I like the horn blasts. I like the names of the band members (Chit Chat von Loopin Stab, Pinky Beecroft, The Love Shark, etc.). These guys rock. Their site's at http://www.machinegunfellatio.com.

21. "You Sound Like Louis Burdett" by The Whitlams
The Whitlams describe their music as "muscular piano-based pop with lyrics of charming cynicism". This song makes me dance. The lead singer almost ran over my boyfriend once. Louis Burdett is apparently a jazz drummer and "avant garde performance smartarse of international disrepute", and to sound like him is to bemoan your past and future lack of employment. Did I mention these guys are funny as hell? Website at http://www.thewhitlams.com.

22. "Frontier Pschiatrist" by The Avalanches
When I first heard this song, I thought it was the strangest thing I'd ever heard. According to the Melbourne-based band's website, it contains "samples from 37 spoken word albums, including golf instructional, christianity and 'Reading For The Blind' tapes. The song also includes horse and animal sounds from old movies." It's the grooviest, coolest thing you'll ever hear. This Geocities site (http://www.geocities.com/avalancheshomebase/) is actually better than their official site, so check it out for more info.

Anyway, that's it! That's the lot. Oh, and in case you're wondering about my cover art, it's stolen from Bill Bryson's terrific book "Down Under". He's a travel writer and it's one of the funniest books I've ever read. It really made me want to move here. I highly recommend it.

Hope you liked the mix! Stop by my site sometime and tell me what you think. Have a great summer!

Kris