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| "Hailed as 'the new' Radiohead." |
The Fly |
| "Dark & Majestic." |
Drowned In Sound |
| "With the stark, no nonsense rock of The Pixies used as a template, but instead a more melancholy-enriched vocalist fronts the band and gives that sparseness purpose and an emotive quality, this Melbourne quartet could be onto a winner here". |
Subba Culture: Pretty Little Thing single review |
| "Pretty Little Thing, the new release from Melbourne band Blackchords, is a euphoric slice of alt-rock mastery, due to mark them out in Europe as a band to watch. The song immediately steals your attention from the outset, and is pitched somewhere between Interpol and Editors sonically, chugging along amiably before surprising with a breakdown of slow electric drums and electronic sounds. Download it, because on the evidence of this single it won’t be long before they fire into the rock mainstream.". |
Music-News.com: Pretty Little Thing single review |
| "A total gem with intuitively produced vocals and a catchy rock-pop hook. It really does capture the heart of summer". |
Music Week - Key Release: Pretty Little Thing |
| "Perfecting the build ups and breakdowns of all the best alternative rock hits, ‘Pretty Little Thing’ is a moody creation of heart-warming Snow Patrol vocals with climactic drums and guitars. The sound is reminiscent of early Coldplay and Biffy Clyro – chart friendly yet alternative enough to entertain fans from both sides of the mainstream tracks." |
UK Music Review |
| "Soaking up everything from Nick Drake and Ryan Adams to The Smiths and The Cure, Blackchords ring out from their musical sponge of influences deep and reflective music that is at once arrestingly relevant as well as an antidote to everyday life.". |
The Great Escape |
| Le groupe australien Blackchords cherche à créer une musique qui résonne avec nos émotions et participe à connecter les uns aux autres : il n'en fallait pas tant pour nous attirer dans leur univers ! |
Demactive.fr |
| Blackchords is a remarkably assured album. This is a record men could cry to without having to feel ashamed. |
Tasty Fanzine |
| In the past few weeks I've literally lived this album, every free moment I've had to listen to music the Blackchords albums has been revolving in my player and seducing every one of my aching bones, this truly is a breathtaking release that should find favour with anyone who likes emotive epic indie, wide screen ballads or just a well crafted song, if I did an end of the year poll for favourite albums this one would definitely feature very highly on the list. |
Rhythm & Booze Blog 10/10 |
| Hot new talent from Australia, 'Blackchords' is one of those records that surprises upon learning of its debut nature, such is its accomplished sound and depth of material. It's masterminded by Nick Milwright, who has steered the band from alt.couuntry beginnings through ..Explosions In The Sky instrumental excursions to the group's current contemporary indie sound. A very exciting surprise from Down Under. |
Clash Magazine |
| From the start, everything is fresh; a welcome break from the ordinary. This is an album which shows us two sides of the band. They manage perfectly to show their diversity through the musically delicate instrumental strings on tracks such as 'Disappear', 'These Lights' and 'Raise My Hands', opposed to the slightly more hardened 'Diplomat' and 'Pretty Little Thing'. 'Broken Bones' proclaims "We can scream out loud" yet only a gentle whisper is heard in Nick Milwright's voice. His vocals give off charms of innocence and makes it hard not to become enthralled with every note. A more polished Chris Martin springs to mind. Blackchords have produced a debut record to be proud of and now we get to look forward to seeing them perform these songs live! |
CMU Daily |
| This is mood music for the new millenium now that shiny euphoria has worn off |
Rock City |
| LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Blackchords |
Featured Artist of the Week - Alex Baker -Kerrang Radio |
| We were won over.Their widescreen, Americana-tinged sound is never more ambitious than on this. (At World's End) |
Record of the Day |
| Melbourne quartet shoot for the stars on widescreen debut. *** |
Rolling Stone Magazine - 07/09 |
| The sweeping, Americana-tinged rock of Blackchords' self-titled debut is a beautiful tale about defeating the demons of self-doubt |
Music Australia- Dan Rule - 06/09 |
| BLACKCHORDS are one of the innovative newer bands on the Australian stage. Led by singer songwriter Nick Milwright, BLACKCHORDS have developed over some years by funneling influences from Jeff Buckley to Coldplay into their own sound. Take a bit of time in Paris to flavor up the musical brew and this is a band who were capable of delivering a debut album that had time to mature before its release. |
Undercover.com.au - Paul Cashmere - 01/05/09 |
| Melbourne combo go dark and majestic on self-titled debut album. Blackchords chief songwriter Nick Milwright possesses the ability to create music with a sense of foreboding that remains immaculately crafted and lushly listenable. Fans of early Radiohead will find much to appreciate here, especially in the lovely guitar interplay and thoughtful arrangements of 22. However, the group more often resembles the elegantly mournful rock of Elbow, especially in tracks like the near-orchestral closer Disappear, while the angular, danceable At World’s End is like a slightly less doomy Interpol... |
Rave Magazine - Matt Thrower - 28/04/09 |
| "Blackchords have survived a tumultuous time to produce an amazing album that will surely win them many more dedicated fans than they already have. In a world where so many are resorting to simple imitation in a vain attempt to become the next big thing, Blackchords have harnessed their obvious influences to produce something that stands tall among them." |
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Inpress Magazine - Tim Burke - 15/04/09
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"Getting around the Melbourne music scene in 2005, Blackchords have made quite an impact. The band's brand of indie rock has always had a clever precision, as if these guys are persistently trying to attain perfection. It's no surprise then that this very good debut has taken so long to appear, as it drips with fussed over progressions and arrangements. 'At World's End' opens things in tight, muscular fashion before giving way to the more typical '22', where cascading guitars and gentle harmonies glide along on a swaying rhythm. Indeed, despite its more aggressive numbers, the whole album has a dusty pastoral sunset feel to it and while a bit more bite might not have gone astray, it ultimately matters little when the result is an LP of such splendid quality."
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scenemagazine.com.au - Matt Shea
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| "Arriving in 1994 and 1995 respectively, Jeff Buckley's Grace and Radiohead's The Bends are two of modern rock's most influential albums. Just how influential? Well, it's 2009 and their shadow still looms large over new releases such as Blackchords' self-titled debut. The Melbourne quartet, fronted by vocalist and songwriter Nick Milwright, have qualities that overlap with their forebears: the tender invocation of Buckley's music that verged on the spiritual, or Radiohead's artful confluence of guitars that jump-cut from the panoramic to the bitter. The similarities occur with neither fuss nor force - the sweet frequencies of Diplomat or the acoustic yearning of Raise My Hands sound like a band at ease with their sound. The odd eccentricity is welcome and the shortcomings are not fatal. The group has tried to craft soundscapes on a lo-fi budget, and Milwright's lyrics could do with the sharpness that the guitars enjoy. Still, there's enough here to enjoy the references without being crushed in comparison. Album two will be the real test." |
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The Age (EG) - Craig Mathieson - 17/04/09
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"I won't go on and continue telling you about how brilliant this album is, or how Blackchords are going to become the new Radiohead, but I will tell you this: Blackchords are going to be huge and are going to be huge soon. If you live in Melbourne take the opportunity to see them before they stop playing small gigs. You won't regret it. The guys are easily my new favourite band."
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"Exactly 48 seconds into the opening track 'At World's End', you realise that this is no ordinary release. A bass pulse slides in, an angular guitar is laid on top, and you enter the debut self titled release for Blackchords. Brainchild of Melbourne songwriter Nick Milwright, Blackchords is lush and sweeping when it is called for, and just as delicate and frail in comparison. For example, 'These Lights' is minimal and raw, with production echoing Plastic Ono Band. Then the stings rush in, and it is a beautiful moment. This is one of the best Australian debut releases I have heard in a long time."
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4.5/5 Kevin Bull - Imwiththeband.com - 17/03/09
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"Out of Melbourne, Australia comes Blackchords, a band that will be worth knowing in 2009. I was excited to be asked to preview their debut album due out in April, and man am I impressed so far. One standout is "These Lights," a soothing piano ballad that builds into a climax when the ghostly background strings make their mark in the last third of the song. Even better is the fantastic voice of Nick Milwright - reminiscent of Chris Martin - who dresses this tune with a rich melancholic tone. Keep this group's debut in mind for the near future."
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Ears of the Beholder - 01/03/09
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"With echoes of early Radiohead, Coldplay and Jeff Buckley, Blackchords have managed to create in this album something wholly new of the musical touchstones and hallmarks that Milwright and his bandmates have soaked up through a life spent poring over everything music has to offer. Far from wearing their influences on their sleeves, Blackchords melt them down into a well of surprisingly deep, emotional melody."
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"In a remarkable display of subtlety and poise, Blackchords have managed the unthinkable in comfortably pulling off an epic-pop sound in the manner of Coldplay or vintage Radiohead. There is conviction here that implies sincerity and songs are arranged in such a manner that they don't come across as garishly as this sort of material often does. Blackchords are showing themselves to be a tasteful and accomplished act. If their forthcoming album can deliver on this potential they will be one of the most exciting bands in the country."
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Greg Reason - 8/10 Tsunami Mag - 04/12/08
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"Blackchords is the perfect name for this band, a dark and broodingly melodic guitar ensemble that could slice Ryan Adams up with some carrots and turn him into one of those wholesome shakes, stealing his nutrients pitilessly. This alternative rock band with French bar-room style pop tricks and sounds have songs so achingly melancholy that The Spinto Band in comparison are AC/DC. They've a sleek sonic view on songwriting and given the right amount of space might just gather a crowd of shoe-gazing troubadours looking for inspiration, good vibes and emotional direction. Should the goth and indie kids ever decide to co-host a party, this band might be one of the first they call."
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Rawrip Editorials - 03/11/08 -
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