Grinn
Rustybolt Records
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West Australian singer/songwriter Gus McKay has strung together another excellent set of honest and sometimes striking originals to follow up his well received 1999 release, All About Flight with some pithy amd punchy lyrics and a stripped-back musical approach. McKay weaves country, folk and blues into a style that is pretty much his own. Many of the songs reflect the artist's palpable affiliation with the land and rural matters. McKay's ethereal vocals and laidback guitar take you down dusty outback roads to “A place where the streetlights don't block out the stars”. The journey has its rewards. Tony Hillier RHYTHMS , Aug 2004. |
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A melancholy start with "In the Afternoon" sets the scene for a trip into the east of West Australia. You'll pass ramshackle sheds covered with dust, and chances are you'll be in one of those eighteenwheelers... Gus has put together 12 songs here, he's written and played all the instruments, which is quite an acheivement. It's truly an independent release, and he paints a vivid picture of life in the far West... Unfortunately it sounds a bit one-dimensional. I would like the chance to hear him live, because I'm sure it would make perfect sense in the back bar of a bush pub, a long way from nowhere
Peter Jones TSUNAMI MAG QLD , 2004
Sometimes making music is the hardest when you’re just a guy with a guitar with really no one but yourself to fall back on, and maybe some people just like it that way. That’s what I thought as I listened to the opening track, “In the Afternoon”, off of Gus McKay’s new album of Australian-flavoured country-blues. After “Noon”, McKay picks things up and goes up tempo, and while drums become more prominent, McKay is still the show as he even occasionally pulls out the comb for a few harmonica numbers. Grinn is a great showcase for how guitar music can be used for good when you have the talent and confidence to really let it work for you.
Adam A Donaldson Reviewer
All About Flight
Tin Man Music
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I read a review somewhere saying that none of the songs were strong enough to jump out of your speakers, so I approached this CD with an open mind and found a delightful, fresh collection of contemporary songs that may not have the power to blow my speakers, but certainly had the musical energy to blow my mind. Song writing is a strong point as is also musical elements and combinations that find their way into each song. Dashes of country, folk and blues simmered together to create a pleasant fondue, similar in some ways to the likes of artists such as Tony Joe White, David Bridie and The Waifs to name just a few. Dreamy vocals, mesmerizing bass lines and subtle guitar riffs add emotional depth to each song, while retaining an individual character each time. "Big Wheels" would probably appeal to the majority of blues fans out there, but despite it having impact, I felt that I couldn't really nominate any particular track as a favorite, this being an album for me that is a total listening experience rather than a CD that can be analyzed track by track. Lovers of contemporary based music will love this, as will many country fans, although blues purists will most likely ramble a string of negative comments. For a quality musical experience, I highly recommend "All About Flight" Mark 'Radar' Watson (Mr Blues) 30th April 2001 |
All About Flight
West Australian singer-songwriter Gus McKay's self-funded debut release offers 10 self-penned tracks in cruisy country mode.
Among these is Natural - embroidered by some nice lead guitar and swampy keyboard work - and the bluesy sign-off track Guildford Rd. McKay's vocals reach an impressively low register in Big Wheels - almost as deep sounding as Radio National's Planet presenter Lucky Oceans, who is among the album's special guests (on pedal steel).
Tony Hillier Barfly
Shock
There's a lightly throbbing heartland feel to Gus McKay's All About Flight. The sound is light electric-cum-chunky acoustic with McKay's warmly resonant voice adding to the laid-back ambience. While there is no urgency in his sound, McKay's lyrical concern is about the journey, the road, opening doors, trains, highways and machines that take you there. An evenly produced set, All About Flight contains the standout Big Wheels with its early-70's subdued rock 'n' soul feel. Small on immediate impact, All About Flight contains all the ingredients of a catchy sleeper.
Terry Reilly The West Australian