GENEVIEVE MAYNARD BAND
Rumanastone
Genshen
Proof yet again, if needed, that there is a range of music out in them
there pubs beyond boys trying to look tough with guitars. Even moreso,
the bands here have a range within their own canons, and do so very well.
You have heard of Brisbane's Genshen on the radio, the keyboard waves
of Nothing Quite Like This sounding so very English, and so very
perfectly fashionably 80?s. None of you are even gonna remember Fischer
Z are you? Coz that?s who we decided Quentin's near-warble vocals reminded
us of. In perfectly perverse way, they open with the 'hit', freeing them
to hold the early arrivers with the tangents of their twin keyboard of
rhythm section noise. There's some discordant harmonies as the synths bounce
off each other and occasionally embrace. All members sweat darkly (but
that may just have been the eyeliner) and they intrigue with what they
might go with next. The noise if bigger than their status, and the venues
may well grow as they do.
Rumanastone are just so damn, erm, 'likeable'. And that?s such a wishy-washy
term. Ash Hansen's songs are built with care, and in basic three piece
format, delivered with craft and enthusiasm. The newer songs still have
a melody and hooks that got them signed to a major in the first place,
but right now they are among that legion of the lost who deserve better
than trying to scrape it all together indie style so people can hear. Hansen
still has that slightly distracted stage presence but it all hangs together
solidly. We all clap coz they work so hard, but don?t know what to suggest
to get them off this middle-spot teadmill.
It's well-documented that Gen Maynard has been waiting more than long
enough to be a solo artist, and that the Ghost Notes album shows
some of the style, well, styles actually, that she does put her individual
spin on. There?s some blues in there, some well textured layers of technology
that almost verges on the trip-hoppy (is that still a pigeonhole we can
still use?), much centreing on Ms Maynard's rich voice that can ride a
swathe of emotions.
She's got a band that can go with her as well. The supporting cast of
this version of the trio being well able to cover the longing occasional
spit of bile The General can conjure. Drummer Josh Shuberth even opens
on guitar, further highlighting the versatility. And former Swirl bassist
Richie Anderson adds the necessary second layer of vocals to many of the
songs, and between song chat the equal of the eponumouse leaders tangential
conversations.
Johnny Lee has a clipped restrained distate, the radio-played Jackie
In The Morning is backbeat solid, and the simple aching balladry
of Aurora Borealis has me reaching for the person beside me who
isn?t quite there. It all boils down to an artist experienced enough
to know exactly what she?s doing, and doing it so well. You leave my
impressed. | 
