Tenpenny Joke

Tenpenny Joke, Ambush On All Sides, Shock Records

Tenpenny Joke is Anthony Casey (vocals, guitar), Brian Rimmer (vocals, lead guitar, programming), Tim Kill (bass), and Boz (drums). The Australian band formed in 1997 in Melbourne.

Musically, they incorporate world influences effectively, which provides a compelling enough reason to listen to this CD. They successfully take us on a musical exploration. They do it convincingly, without causing confusion from track to track. Listen to She and then Across The Ocean. They are two entirely different songs with many different musical elements. And in many cases, throughout the CD, distinctive sounds are applied to specific sections of the songs. Repetition is definitely there, although in Sense and track 11, it’s too much so.

She
Music, Lyrics: Brian

Musically interesting song. It opens with a Middle Eastern flair – the hand drums, the minor chords. It works through the song until the very stringed ending a la Eleanor Rigby. 

Sirens

Music: Brian, Anthony, Tim, Boz

Lyrics: Anthony, Brian

All messages we could all stand to hear, albeit lyrically unoriginal. Specifically, it’s rock music that’s rather good. Play this one again, til you feed the hungry children, quit polluting and plant a tree.

Sense

Music: Brian

Lyrics: Anthony

A little too much of the repetition for my taste, but I definitely appreciate Tenpenny Joke’s willingness to play around with music. It seems many bands are pigeon-holed, and Tenpenny keeps themselves free and open to almost anything. The song is about having an affair, I think. 

Across The Ocean

Music, Lyrics: Brian

A little jagged reggae beat on the guitar going on here, interspersed with a guitar solo.

The music is mindless – sucks you in to listen. I like the lyrics, but was so fascinated with their music that I had to read the lyrics. It’s about a gal who comes across the ocean to visit, and she’s all over him. I think in the end he falls for her, or it switches to her perspective, which – interestingly enough, coincides with the musical shift from reggae to rock.

Chaos Engine

Music, Lyrics: Brian

Watch out, fools!

Emergency

Music, Lyrics: Anthony

If given that wake up call in life – a near death experience, would you do anything about it? Or, would you continue being codependent the next day?

Caroline

Music: Tim, Brian, Anthony, Boz

Lyrics: Anthony

A little punk start to set the tone for a song about Caroline, who left. There’s some wailing on the guitar near the end.

Popcorn

Music: Brian, Tim, Boz, Anthony

Lyrics: Anthony

The young, do-nothing popcorn guy at the theater is fine as long as people don’t want a piece of him (like a piece of popcorn.) Huh, the lyrics don’t really do it for me. Kinda all over. Something about fashion in there too.  Maybe I’m just too literal of a person.

Kamikaze

Music: Brian

Lyrics: Anthony, Brian

Somebody could replace you and be just as good. Just go kamikaze. Loud rock.

Vocals are unique on this one track. Entirely different feel than the rest of the CD. That’s what I like about this CD – the band’s ability to get out and explore. They do it convincingly. Somehow all the different sounds fit in without causing any confusion or jarring sensations.

Don’t Go

Music, Lyrics: Brian, Anthony

Enough repetition, despite you telling me otherwise in the title of the next song.

Never Enough

Music, Lyrics: Brian

Interesting topic, interesting music. Repetitive rock interspersed with the chorus. Listen for the talking guitar. Hmm, where have we heard that before? Afraid to sleep because of dreams, visions? I am up writing in the middle of the night, so I guess I can relate. Or, I drank a double cappuccino. Yeah, that might have done it. I guess this song repeats too much because I can go on about a diatribe and seemingly not miss a beat in this song.

Shadow In The Glass

This piece sets itself apart though it is just as unique as all of the tracks on this CD. It is played on acoustic guitar. (A song has words, a piece doesn’t, just in case you weren’t aware.) It’s like an interlude.

Black Satellite

Music: Brian, Tim

Repetitive riff hits this song hard.

Flood

This is my favorite song, musically speaking. I like the moving melody on that guitar, even if it is also repetitive.