JIMMY BARNES – RAGE AND RUIN
Thankfully, for his 16th solo album in 30 odd years, Jimmy Barnes has taken a step away from genre-specific tribute albums and dated gentlemen’s suits. Here he’s dusted off the denims and slung his arm around the mike stand with material that is much closer to the core of the Barnes we all know (and mostly love). With a swag of new songs co-penned with American alt-country producer Mike Daly, Barnes has decided to confront his demons with good will, a tidy rock ensemble and some gutsy soul singers. God Or Money kicks it off with a relaxed, Stems-y 12-string electric round. The harder hitting sing-along rocker Before The Devil Knows Your Dead charts more familiar Chisel-inspired waters; and Barnes’ voice, like the familiar barking of a trusty blue cattle dog, is in full stride here. The record is not as tough-sounding as the title may suggest; Barnes prefers to reflect and philosophize on a personal past of excesses and failures amid his dizzy commercial success, with lyrical honesty and good old mid-paced pub rock. Perhaps most affecting is Stupid Heart; its alarming similarity to Wild Horses somehow doesn’t matter; it’s his stupid heart on his sleeve, and we believe it.
***
