Cold Chisel - No Plans - Album Thread

[Zuma]

Anyone had a listen to Chisel's new album? Post your thoughts on this thread, also anyone attending their run of gigs would love to hear your experiences.

 

[exit]

If the first 2 singles are anything to go by, they really need to stop writing new songs.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Gave it several spins over the weekend. Not bad at all, definetly better than what I was expecting after the two songs that got released last year.

'Everybody' is simply fantastic. The lyrics are vintage Don Walker and are just so witty. It's certainly not Chisel-by-the-numbers either. No way was I expecting a New Orleans-shuffle calling the majority of the population f***wits as the single. Brilliant chrous and suprisingly good Barnes vocal.

'I Got Things To Do' is beautiful. It's as if Prestwich knew what was coming, it's eerily forseeing in the lyrics. I love that they kept the demo's guide vocal and only put a little bass and guitar over the top. Musically it really reminds me of something Lyndsey Buckingham would write. It's a beautiful melody and relaxing groove.

Other highlights for me are 'Dead and Laid to Rest' and 'Summer Moon'. The former is very catchy soul-rock with a great groove and vocals. The latter is another great Ian Moss track that is made for long drives at night.

Cons:
Title track is a blatant re-write of Yakuza Girls
Only two Ian Moss vocals, should have been 3-4
'Missing a Girl' is utter shit
The two songs that were put out last year are inferior to most on the album

Hard to place it in the Chisel canon just yet. It's more consistent than The Last Wave of Summer, but doesn't have as many great tracks.

 

[Zuma]

I have heard "Everybody" and Charlie Drayton is all over that song. His musical upbringing and experiences shine through his fine drumming on that track. He's a cool cat having played with many more of those.

He was also very pivotal in getting Divinyls Underworld recorded and believe you me working with those two at that point in time would not have been easy but he did a great job on that.

A handy musician who can rise above turmoil and provide a positive drive.

 

[Zuma]

I haven't heard the album track but their live performance of "All For You" was very moving and I thought it was a well written song.

I don't think they will ever do another Yakuza Girls, that is one of my favourite all time Chisel tunes.

 

[hawk for 37]

Just don't feel the need to have a new collection of chisel songs in my collection.

I'm afraid that Jimmy's voice is shot and its bottom end just grates too much for me to enjoy the songs.

Compare his voice in the ballads from yester year to now. Sorry Jim, she's done.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Sorry Jim, she's done.

I more or less agree with this. Was my biggest fear when I saw them live last year. To my amazement, he really brought it and didn't notice any problems with his voice. Compared to his recent solo work (which I enjoy) where he doesn't get out of the lower register at all, Chisel live and the new record are suprisingly good in terms of the vocals. Studio tricks, maybe, but who cares.

Listened to No Plans in the car last night, This Day and This Horizon jumped out at me for the first time. Quality tracks. There are some real worthy additions to the Chisel canon on here.

@Zuma, I agree regarding Charley Drayton. His influences on this album make it sound unique in the Chisel canon, in a great way. I know him from his work on Keith Richards' solo albums, where he actually played bass on IIRC.

 

[monty1104]

Everybody is an absolute ripper track. Havent lisgtened to the rest properly yet, but I also like HQ454 Monroe.

 

[Zuma]

Got the album finally, on first listen I felt the production could have been better and that it had more of a Barnsey solo feel to it than Chisel that we know and love.

However, like many albums, you need to listen several times and then bang, I was sold. I am now listening nearly everyday, it has moved from Barnsey to Chisel and reflects beautifully what the band are now, rather than then, which i like.

Yes Jim can not sing like he once did, we are lucky that he is still alive let alone able to sing. He sings with such maturity and experience especially on the slower tempo songs.

"Everybody" is a great choice for single, I really rate it as a bloody good song so true for today. "The Horizon" is a beauty. Ian singing "Summer Moon" was nice and he kicks up the gears with "Too Late" a third lead vocal would have been cool though. "I Gotta Get Back on The Road" is growing into almost my fave song, it has that slick bluesy Chisel groove to it and great guitar lines from Mossy.

I understand those not wanting to add this collection of songs, 14 years since their last, to the Aussie anthems that came to an end another 14 years since The Last Wave of Summer.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Got the album finally, on first listen I felt the production could have been better and that it had more of a Barnsey solo feel to it than Chisel that we know and love.

However, like many albums, you need to listen several times and then bang, I was sold. I am now listening nearly everyday, it has moved from Barnsey to Chisel and reflects beautifully what the band are now, rather than then, which i like.

Yes Jim can not sing like he once did, we are lucky that he is still alive let alone able to sing. He sings with such maturity and experience especially on the slower tempo songs.

"Everybody" is a great choice for single, I really rate it as a bloody good song so true for today. "The Horizon" is a beauty. Ian singing "Summer Moon" was nice and he kicks up the gears with "Too Late" a third lead vocal would have been cool though. "I Gotta Get Back on The Road" is growing into almost my fave song, it has that slick bluesy Chisel groove to it and great guitar lines from Mossy.

I understand those not wanting to add this collection of songs, 14 years since their last, to the Aussie anthems that came to an end another 14 years since The Last Wave of Summer.

I agree with you about Barnsey's mature singing on this one, Zuma. 'This Day' is a perfect example. A beautiful song made even better by the vocal track.