Painkiller

Steve Kilbey | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 17, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: SECOND MOTION
• ASIN: B001OFM346
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,850 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Church's Lead Vocalist's Masterpiece ! (Steve Kilbey), November 18, 2008

By 

Brien Comerford (Glenview, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painkiller (Audio CD)

The Church's lead vocalist, Steve Kilbey, has reached a new zenith with a solo CD that is akin to a new Church masterpiece. The dreamy, psychedelic and glorious sounds are all present to accompany his resonant, intoxicating and refined vocals. To begin with one must mention the instrumental "File Under Travel" which is a pulsating classic that would be idyllic for a James Bond film. Even more essential are the CD's first four songs namely the euphoric "Outbound", the mesmerizing "Wolfe" and the luminous "Celestial" followed by the spellbinding "Crystalline Rush". Kilbey's bass playing virtuoisty is very alive and well on the riveting "Oenone". I really cannot describe the magnificence of Steve Kilbey unless I quote a music critic who states that "Steve Kilbey is the elaborate and ethereal Australian mystic that must be heard." The song "Spirit In Flame" aptly translates the critic's laudatory praise. Buy this CD now !

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steve Kilbey's Painkiller, February 20, 2009

By 

Thomas Thomsen (Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painkiller (Audio CD)

Steve Kilbey - the lead vocalist, bass player and cryptic lyricist of the excellent and underrated, Australian rock band The Church - is an eclectic record maker responsible for some fascinating and very diverse solo recordings among which my favorites are Remindlessness, Narcosis + More, Dabble, and his latest album, the intoxicating Painkiller. As Brien Comerford - another reviewer here (and The Church devotee) - would say "It's all Killer, and no filler!", Killer being Kilbey's nickname.

Picking favorite songs is not an easy task, but I am going to give it a try, anyway.

In no particular order (except 1 - 4):

1.

Outbound: my favorite song on Painkiller and a very convincing opening track. Pounding bass, intense and edgy lead vocal. One of the most memorable Steve Kilbey solo songs ever. Lyric sample: "White hippy Moses like an aphid in the roses/Universal inverse in inverted poses/Like a snort of amnesia, a ball up your noses/Not what the man in the street supposes."

2.

Spirit In Flame: this song is my second most favorite song on Painkiller.

Dark. Mysterious. Very cool. Makes me think of the Narcosis + More album.

3.

Not What You Say: the last track is my third most favorite song on Painkiller. It's a track, which is very hard to describe - a song you'll have to hear for yourself in all of its 12 + minutes glory. Kilbey stops singing as soon as 1 minute and 35 seconds into the song, and then there's a long, hypnotising, instrumental passage lasting approximately 4 minutes until Kilbey's vocal returns - a powerful, goosebump inducing moment.

4.

Celestial: a low-key, self-assured lead vocal, soft guitar sounds, mellotron flute, and appropriate space sounds all add up to one of the most dreamy and mesmerizing songs on Painkiller. Another favorite.

5.

Crystalline Rush: again a beautifully understated and self-assured lead vocal by Steve Kilbey, who's often been known to half-sing / half-speak his cryptic lyrics (Aura off The Church album Priest = Aura is a good example of this). The chiming guitars on Crystalline Rush are reminiscent of The Church.

6.

Song For The Masking: one of my favorites, too. Great intro...ominous drums, and then heavy bass - followed by some weird keyboard sounds. Spooky.

7.

Oenone: the most up-tempo song on the cd / album. Again, a great intro - which leads to a repetitive though engagingly energetic guitar riff.

And these are just the highlights!

HIGHLY recommended!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Painkiller Pleasures, November 23, 2008

By 

soldiermedic73 (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Painkiller (Audio CD)

This is Steve Kilbey's best album with or without The Church in years. It will satisfy both listeners who appreciate melody and experimentation without excluding either. There are songs in which Kilbey stretches his voice far beyond the safety of his signature speak/sing. Songs that retain atmosphere without diminishing rhythm. Accessible without going shallow. A rich but simple pleasure that will awaken the sleeping child inside and escort through psychedelic dreams.