Tasty Fanzine
"Blackchords is a remarkably assured album. This is a record men could cry to without having to feel ashamed."
Rhythm & Booze Blog 10/10 "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."
Clash Magazine "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."
CMU Daily "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!"
Rock City "This is mood music for the new millennium now that the shiny euphoria has worn off."
Kerrang Radio "LOVE LOVE LOVE Blackchords" Featured artist of the week, Alex Baker
Record Of The Day “We were won over. Their widescreen, Americana-tinged sound is never more ambitious than on this” (At World’s End)
Rolling Stone Magazine Blackchords - Blackchords "Melbourne quartet shoot for the stars on widescreen debut."
Music Australia Guide - Dan Rule "The sweeping, Americana-tinged rock of Blackchords' self-titled debut is a beautiful tale about defeating the demons of self-doubt" READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE
Rave Magazine - Matt Thrower - 28/04/09 "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..." READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
Undercover.com.au - Paul Cashmere - 01/05/09 "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." READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
Inpress Magazine - Tim Burke - 15/04/09 ""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.""
Scenemagazine.com.au - Matt Shea "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."
Thedwarf.com.au - Nick Kays - 17/03/09 "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. " READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
4.5/5 Kevin Bull - Imwiththeband.com 17/03/09 "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." READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
Ears of the Beholder 01/03/09 "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." READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
Entertainment Depot - 27/02/09 "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." READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
Rawrip Editorials - 03/11/08 "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."
yep, saw you yesterday at Barfly, really enjoyed it...oh, and i was one of the frenchies in the venue...actually your french accent isn't too bad, at least i understood what you said :D
Hey, I'm sorry I am gonna miss you in London - am a big Danny George Wilson fan so would have been there but am travelling in the States at the moment. Going to be out in Oz for the summer so maybe catch you back there instead!
whoa congradulations ;) thats awesome news i love when aussie band rise above the aussie music industry and branchout... when you return i will surely check you guys out...when you play an underaged gig...haha i myself am trying start now and leash out on music opportunities. mwaox best of luck guys
Hey Guys :) Just wanting to say hey, and see how everything is going overseas. I'm sure your getting a little homesick by now, but just know were all wishing you the greatest success in Europe. Daniel sends his best wishes, and we're hanging out to see you play again.
Hmmm, I appear to have become a fan just as you are jetting off from Aus. Bad timing! Oh well, I'll keep an eye out for any local tour dates in the future.
amazing layering on your part, and nice use of the e-bow [on odd occasion just to spice things up :-P]. hope i can make it to one of your concerts sometime!
love the album, been listening to it non-stop here! what microphones did you use?
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