Dreamy, mystical mountain music

Islands of the Sky
Peter Crowe
Distributed by Larrikin Records
Available on CD
Reviewed by Peter Hicks

This is an album of ambient guitar pieces which Peter Crowe describes as “acoustic mountain music”.

It consists entirely of instrumentals which highlight Crowe's blues slide technique. I found it reminiscent of Ry Cooder's great soundtrack to Paris, Texas. Like that album, it has a mystical, dreamy air about it.

Crowe claims to have been inspired by the mountains and wilderness of Tasmania. He says he composes his music “inspired by the natural environment of the island”.

Islands of the Sky is definitely music to relax with. Recommended after a long day of bush walking.

`I laughed ... then I cried'

Nervous '90s
Painters and Dockers
MDS records
Available on CD and cassette
Reviewed by Stephen Bavaro

Nervous '90s continues the Painters and Dockers' concern with social and political issues. The title is a reflection on the current state of the world dominated by the New World Order, and especially in the United States, where disillusionment among the population has set in.

In “Laughed To Myself” they sing: “Scud flies here, scud flies there/The market rises to get its share/It's blood for oil, blood for gold/The innocent always carry the load/And I laughed to myself .../and then I cried.”

Along with the six new tracks, there are three live tracks: “Glimmer of Hope” about the hardships faced by homeless and abused teenagers, “Jack's Car” and the old favourite “Die Yuppie, Die”. These three were recorded with the Salvation Army Band at a benefit gig.

Nervous '90s emphasises social justice and reminds listeners it really is the nervous '90s.

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