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

Recently-posted album reviews

Painkiller

The Great God Pan
Tzadik (2025)

Painkiller, the trio of John Zorn, Bill Laswell, and Mick Harris shows no signs of slowing down. The Great God Pan is their third full-length, since their reunion in 2024, and in many ways it is an unexpected offering. In keeping with their interests in the metaphysical realm, Painkiller find inspiration from the famed Arthur Machen horror novella. Here, the … Read more

Painkiller

The Equinox
Tzadik (2025)

Painkiller sees three absolute masters of extreme music join forces. John Zorn of Naked City and a billion other projects, Mick Harris who transcended from Napalm Death drummer to illbient guru with Scorn, and producer extraordinaire Bill Laswell. Their first two records, Guts of a Virgin and Buried Secrets are strange meditations traversing between free-jazz, grindcore and dub. Still hungry … Read more

Dauber

Falling Down
Dromedary Records, Recess (2025)

The lazy approach would be to call Dauber "ex-Screaming Females," but that barely scratches the surface. If I had to pick one band to namedrop a comparison to, it would be labelmates Night Court. They play a familiar style but with a lot of quirks that set it apart from the genre standard-bearers. It's driving and energetic -- more importantly, … Read more