Review / 200 Words Or Less
Steve Kilbey
Painkiller

Second Motion (2009) Sean K.

Steve Kilbey – Painkiller cover artwork
Steve Kilbey – Painkiller — Second Motion, 2009

The first solo record from The Church frontman in seven years, Kilbey handles all the instruments here except drums. Thankfully it does not sound like a Paul McCartney record. Tim Powles, drummer from The Church covers the sticks and production duties. But there's still a strong guitar presence on this one. "Outbound" features a flowing bassline, while 'Wolfe" seems to be describing a folklore story. "File Under Travel" is probably my favorite track on this release, just because it is so out there, in a groovy Syd Barrett way to be exact. The only misstep is the thirty-one minute last song, "Not What You Say." It's about fifteen minutes too long and I'm not entirely unconvinced it's not a recording of hits from the bong (disguised as bubbles.) But other than that, this is a dense sonic landscape that will not need any added medications to appreciate.

7.5 / 10Sean K. • June 30, 2009

Steve Kilbey – Painkiller cover artwork
Steve Kilbey – Painkiller — Second Motion, 2009

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