Customer Reviews

Echolalia

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ask any Australian who their favourite modern alternative bands are, and chances are they'll say Powderfinger, The Whitlams and Something for Kate. It is the latter, described as "the thinking person's rock band", that is a strong three-piece outfit that has come a long way from being just a Melbourne pub band.

Chief writer Paul Dempsey has explained of keeping notebooks full of lyrics - sentences, phrases and whatever else. So when the band (commonly referred to as SFK) has the music, the next move is to go searching through the notebooks for accompanying lyrics. The result is a band that not only has great music, but also possibly the best lyrics going around today.

"Echolalia" is the band's third official album, though there have been others not counted, such as "Q & A with Dean Martin". Like other bands, such as The Whitlams and Coldplay, their singles may not sell so much (in Australia, anyway), but their albums are instant best sellers. There were about three tracks released from "Echolalia". "Three Dimensions" (which contains the album's title word) is catchy, and at some stages one note is repeated on the keyboard, reminiscent of train gates, or indeed plain traffic. "Say Something" takes this theme, which perfectly fits in with the line "the faces have become like traffic". The result is extremely catchy frenzied activity in less than three minutes. And "Monsters" is about the things that trap us, and is good quality soft alternative music.

"Stunt Show" is a perfect opening track, one of the best on the album. It starts off with an acoustic guitar, and builds from there. The lyrics, like most songs on this album, are just brilliant.

"Jerry, Stand Up" is dramatic, and gets better the more you think about it, and the more you listen to it. Originally, I'd brushed over this song a bit, but two years later I've realised how excellent it really is. Some parts of it seem to have things in common with a Coldplay song, "A Rush of Blood to the Head" - it's not blindingly obvious, but it is a slight comparison. However, the "Echolalia" album was released a year before the "A Rush of Blood to the Head" album.

"Old Pictures" isn't exceptionally extraordinary, but it has an enjoyable bridge. "You Only Hide..." is a gentle, slow track, and it would make for a very nice live track. (Sure enough, it is played live as a B-side on the "Déjà Vu" single, from the August 2003 released fourth album, "The Official Fiction".) And "Twenty Years" is a companionable, solid track.

"Feeding the Birds and Hoping for Something in Return" is the track that stands out the most. It's about panic, and the music and lyrics clearly reflect this - in fact, it is these lyrics that are the best on the album, and the overall package is remarkable. Another standout is "Happy Endings", which is hard to describe, but it's definitely special, again with good quality lyrics.

"Manmade Horse" has music reminiscent of Westerns, on a journey into unknown territory. "Seasick" has the title's feeling clearly demonstrated in the music. And "White", the closing track, is seemingly simple, but thoroughly enjoyable.

As with a lot of Australian music, foreign audiences may not be very aware of this band, but they have performed in places such as Germany. And sometime this year, they toured (or will tour) Europe as a support band for another Aussie band, silverchair. Personally, I prefer Something for Kate, and many will agree. If intelligent alternative music takes your fancy, then take an interest in SFK.

I was first turned on to SKF by an mate in South Australia. He called me here in the States just so I could listen to one of their songs...and i've been hooked ever since. If you like great music that's easy on the ears, give this band a try. You won't be disappointed.

This is such a good CD, i listened to it non-stop when it was first released in Australia. I love the thought-provoking lyrics and the understated, yet still powerful vocals of Paul Dempsey. I actually got to see these guys live and they were amazing! This is a very relaxing, chilled out CD that i think many people can appreciate. However, if you like ytour rock a little more upbeat, this may not be for you.

I actually first heard about Something For Kate from a friend in Australia, and was suprised to find Echolalia at a local Borders. The music alone is great but at the same time, Paul's voice makes for a very soothing, yet always interesting sound. My favorite tracks have to be Jerry Stand Up, You Only Hide, Seasick, and White. They're amazing.

TO THE REST OF THE WORLD THAT HAVE BEEN LIVING WITHOUT THIS BAND FOR TOO LONG!!! I bought this album after hearing "Three Dimensions" on the radio. I was drawn to this guys' amazing voice. If you like distinctive, deliberate, emotive and soothing vocals, poetic lyrics juxtapositioned beside acoustic guitar, dont deprive yourself any longer. "You Only Hide", a song about wanting to discover, understand and appreciate your partners inner complexities..'your eyes become corridors/where i wonder/with a candle/calling out to you/You only hide/because you know/ ill find you'. This song never fails to find a place to my heart and is fav song from this album. Other noteworthy songs "Old Pictures", "Say Something", "Happy Endings","Monsters" but the whole album is excellent from start to finish. I love to paint to this album. If your looking to sample some of the independent music aussies are making, this is a must. How long do we have to keep on prooving that aussies are the best at everything?

This is one of my favourite CD's of all time. I absolutely love it - it is not just one of those CD's that grows on you the more you listen, it truly gets into you! Please do yourself a favour and buy it - you will not be disappointed.

With the CD you also get access to a special website as well as the video to the first single "Monsters".

Living in their home country I have had the privilege to see them live a number of times and THEY ROCK LIVE!!!! If they head your way - make a bee-line to the ticket outlet.

Enjoy listening to this work of musical art.

Something For Kate is a terrific band from Australia. Led by singer/songwriter Paul Dempsey, this group has renewed my belief that great music is still being created.

1-01 Stunt Show
1-02 Three Dimensions
1-03 Jerry, Stand Up
1-04 Monsters
1-05 Old Pictures
1-06 You Only Hide...
1-07 Feeding The Birds And Hoping For Something In Return
1-08 Twenty Years
1-09 Say Something
1-10 Manmade Horse
1-11 Happy Endings
1-12 Seasick
1-13 White


Past And Present Tension


2-01 Whatever You Want
2-02 Pinstripe
2-03 The Astronaut
2-04 Captain (Million Miles An Hour)
2-05 Strategy
2-06 Electricity
2-07 You Only Hide (Live @ VHQ)
2-08 Three Dimensions (Live @ VHQ)
2-09 Seasick (Live @ The Forum Theatre)
2-10 Stunt Show (Solo Live @ P.O.W)
2-11 Truly (Solo Live @ P.O.W)

Fo me, this is the definitive SFK album. Chilled, catchy and it flows well throughout. The entire album is strong.

This is the bands first step towards the mainstream with a much more polished sound than their earlier albums Elsewhere for 8 minutes and Beautiful Sharks whiclst I think still maintaining their edge. I loved Dempsey's voice in the first two albums and it's only got better with one of his best vocal efforts to date on first single Monsters. Other album highlights include Three Dimensions and You Only Hide......