Customer Reviews

Last Wave of Summer

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

 

 

After all the tired reunions of the 90's it's so refreshing to listen to these guys. They still have it. It may not be Chisel's best album yet but it's not far from it. Listen to "Way Down"-a new "When The War Is Over". Songs like "Things I Love In You", "Mr Crown Prosecutor" and "Water Into Wine" sounds like they could have been written in the 80's and produced in the 90's. My favorite track though is the hidden 15th song, "Once Around The Sun", which apparently was meant to be the album-title at one point. Can't stop playing this album...

This album has Cold Chisel sounding as they always should, a pity then that it has taken so long to capture the essence of the band's sound on disc. "Last Wave of Summer" as an album title (and song) conjures up an image of a band looking to the onset of the autumn of their career sure in the knowledge that this represents the end of the golden weather. But if they can replicate all the elements that go to make this such a great album then they should be looking forward to their summer years all over again.

As "reunion" albums go this is one of the best and as Cold Chisel albums go this also is one of their best. I say this not merely due to the sound they have got (sharp, crisp and edgy), but because the songs are a very strong collection of (mostly) Don Walker penned songs. Don Walker's is a very talented writer who deserves far more kudos than he probably gets.

The weakest points in this album to me are the two Jimmy Barnes penned tracks which is strange as Jimmy has written more than his fair share of great songs in the past. The more I listen to Ian Moss's "Red Sand" the more I like it. He writes very Australian-specific, story-based lyrics and his writing seems to get better and better (he already is a hot guitarist). Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss always sound good "duetting" a la "Way Down". Don Walker's seedy yet humourous lyrics on "Yakuza Girls" (which the band deliver with great gusto) have to be listened to carefully to fully appreciate.

I rate this album the full 5 stars, and I gave the rating comparing it with all other albums in the Cold Chisel canon. I rate this alongside my other fav: "Breakfast at Sweethearts" which has a similar mix of fast and heavy to slow/ballad songs. Cold Chisel don't deserve to be known as abn "Australian band" because first and foremost they are a talented and great band, who happen to be Australian (and are probably very proud of it).

This album affirms my contention that this may be the most underated rock band in history. In my opinion they have simply set the standard in the art form of modern rock ballad. Not the bubble-gum /big hair garbage of the U.S. in the 80's, but real emotional hard drivin' rock ballads not heard on this continent in a long time. Just listen to the tracks ; Angel in my Room , Water into Wine and especially Way Down.The latter two being Steve Prestwich penned and featuring the spine shivering Jimmy Barnes led harmonies that these guys should be famous for! This latest from Chisel is red "cold"! ROCK ON MATES!

Cold Chisel is simply an Australian legend in music. When I heard they were reforming, I could not contain myself - I have all of their CD's, and have been a huge fan for years. This CD delivers. I am a US 'yank' that lived in Australia from 1990-97, and when I first heard this band that was completely overlooked by the US record companies, I was shocked! I am a huge music fan (former DJ), and it is rare that I hear a CD by a band that I am suddenly singing along with and really getting into it first go! 'Last Wave of Summer' can join the ranks of Chisel classics as 'Circus Animals' and 'East'. It has some uneven moments, but overall it is a strong 'comeback' album that still has the Chisel element of simply great songwriting. They don't really touch on a lot of the issues they used to, and sometimes revert to the old classic love song, but there is that certain urgency and feeling throughout the CD that stacks up to their other works. I am not saying it is their best ever - get the 'Best of' CD first if you are new or not a big Chisel fan. However, this CD is NOT a tired 'comeback thing' - Chisel sound fresh and ready to rock, and the vocal combo of Jimmy and Ian is just something unparalled in most of today's music - they have NOT 'lost it'!

Always have been a chisel fan and to listen to the Last Wave of Summer was great.