MAX 19th FEB BRASS MONKEY
Max
Axiomatic
Independent Release
Release date: out now
Review by Damian McDonald
You’d expect that a multi instrumentalist songwriter/performer would either be totally self indulgent, or simply kidding themselves that they can get away with having a lash at the whole rock ‘n’ roll toolbox. You’d think, yeah, maybe he can play guitar and sing, but can he really pull off a shit-hot drum line, a bassplayer’s bass line and tasteful keyboards?
Well, holy Lenny Kravitz, MAX can!
MAX’s debut album, Axiomatic, recorded at the legendary Studio 301 in Sydney is a record that is a major label’s dream. Not only are all tracks winners but all the work has been done, top shelf, and all of it by, essentially, two guys.
Those two guys though are no deluded egotistical kids. Both MAX and Syd Green ooze talent and experience, so much so that it’s almost disgusting. (Yeah, I know; jealousy.) MAX Smidt was previously in the bands MACH 1 and MAX AND THE MAGNIFICENT MARGARITAS, and he knows how to write a rock song. And as mentioned above, he’s an accomplished all-rounder when it comes to the kit, backline and PA. Syd Green, who in the ‘90s was one of, or arguably the best hard rock drummer in Australia, back-boning for Mantissa, Christ Art Museum and many others, is now a renowned producer with his own studio, Mononest on the NSW South Coast.
MAX and Green wrote and performed Axiomatic, though MAX obviously had the original vision. All the songs are his, six of the ten co-written with Green, and one with another artist. And although after even a cursory listen it’s clear both MAX and Green can play every rock and blues instrument at a professional level, they’ve had some fun and swap around on pretty much every track. The most surprising thing to me was that two of the most amazing drum performances, Life and Deserter, are played by MAX. If you’ve heard Mantissa’s Mossy God, you’ll know that to play anything like Syd Green, let alone pace him, is no mean feat. And although MAX can play everything extremely well himself, he has not only shared the glory with Green, he also invited several guest musos on board as well: guitarists Richard Madden, Brian Cachia and Andrew Webb, bass player Cameron Potts, and horn players Ross Sandler and Richard Hodge.
The album is produced by Green, and the production is one of the main reasons a major label should be blowing up MAX’s phone and email. It needs not one touch of the dials.
Song order too is a big plus for Axiomatic. The album kicks into three giant rock songs, Life, Better Days and Deserter, all with the tight grab and release, and mausoleum-solid rhythm section of AC/DC, but without trying to imitate, though MAX has obviously listened well to his Bon Scott records. The fourth track, the radio-friendly Summer Days, is a DRAGON-esque piece that keeps the Aussie rock theme pumping. Axiomatic then takes a mid-album dive into the blues. Monkey Messin’ Blues segues nicely into the dark, southern sounding Good Whiskey, Bad Girls. The title and premise of this song may seem clichéd and tired, but there’s still something original about it. The lines ‘aint nothin’ to fix here baby, except maybe a drink’, and ‘watchin’ Sunday goin’ straight to hell’ lend a realism to the deep, down and dirty track. MAX ain’t boasting. He’s lamenting! The record rocks up again, but the blues stick with the songs. The single Nothin’ on Butt the Radio is minimalist in approach, but is still a full sounding song. The album finishes on yet another stylistic swing, but with the same MAX sound, this time a reggae feel on the song Think.
Axiomatic is available on iTunes. But really, this album should be on a major label. MAX has captured and released Aussie rock the way it should be done.
Max
Syd Green
Rating:8
