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Artist: Band: The Sweetlips
Album: From Out of Nowhere
Label: Independent Artist
Genre: Rock
Sounds Like: System of a Down, Bush, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Black Sabbath, Mos Generator. Stone Axe, Lenny
Technical Grade: 7/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 7/10
Commercial Value: 7/10
Overall Talent Level: 7/10
Songwriting Skills: 7/10
Performance Skill: 6/10
Best Songs: Little Child, Method of Science, Sun Raiser, Tie Me Down
Weakness: No release date, No case, Short sided songs. More solos and vocal harmonies, Repetitive Catalog
CD Review:
(NEWCASTLE AUS) Playing for fifteen years in mainly punk bands Eamon Pearson from the sweetlips says I just love the bottom end power it gives out. I’ve been playing for 15 or so years and mostly in the Punk genre of music with a bit of metal mixed in here and there. I’m a fan of all types of bass playing styles including: funk, reggae, blues, metal punk etc but prefer to play fast high energy or heavy styles of music. All the bands I’ve played with have been Sydney or Central Coast based bands in Australia playing with Fotze, Rule 303, Counter Punch over the years then stepped away from the live scene for a while to just jam around with different styles. Came back to playing live when my friend who I originally started playing with died from cancer and a group of his mates who had played in various bands with him reformed a band called HeadButt in his honour, this band was the most fun I’ve had playing with and is without a doubt why I enjoy playing live because it’s fun. I’ve been lucky enough with some of these bands to do many self funded tours mainly up and down the East coast of Australia doing NSW,QLD,VIC and SA and a few overseas tours including Canada, America and the UK with the highlight of playing in the UK the Wasted festival which is now known as Rebellion a big celebration of punk rock music. The feeling of playing music gives to you for me is what it’s all about and I don’t plan on stopping, with music age is no barrier and any midlife crisis that tries to jump on board I’ll stick it where it fits with Rock n Roll. This Power trio consists of Daxton Monaghan (Guitars/Vocals), Eamon Pearson (Bass) and Richit Catlin (Drums). This latest 10 Track “From out of Nowhere” installment was released in 2014.
 
The CD kicks things off straight away with a cool into piece “Little Child” a melodic yet hard hitting follow-up piece that serves up driving rock rhythm against aggressive guitar attack, meshed with impressive solo guitar and captivating melodic vocals from Monaghan that flows and ebbs its way through emotional fruition. Track 2 “Method of Science” keeps it rocking with hard hitting guitar coupled with an amazing guitar solo and dynamic twists and turns like a violent tornado making for an impressive follow up statement. Track 3 “Sun Raiser” serves up a methodical creepy, passionate full tilt groove, with methodical intro, impressive feel against heart felt vocal delivery and thought provoking lyrical content. As the CD slowly unfolds I can hear many different musical textures reminiscent of classic System of a Down, Bush, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Black Sabbath, Mos Generator. Stone Axe, Lenny Kravitz, Nirvana. Fans of Hard Rock of the late 90's will thoroughly enjoy this CD. As the CD slowly unfolds you will notice most of the songs are very dynamic, passionate and full of musical peaks and valley. All in all this CD has some truly impressive moments on it showcasing impressive writing and lyrical content, with impressive musicianship to boot. The overall songwriting style is relatively similar to vintage Nirvana although this band is not grunge. The impressive three piece is not easy to pigeonhole. West's passionate baritone works well within this catalogue as he holds the melody line extremely well. He also brings intensity and power. Vocals from Monaghan deliver everything you would expect from a singer within this style of music. Vocally Monaghan has an appealing timbre especially in the higher registries. Vocally he reminds me of a cross between Chris Cornell and Lenny Kravitz. Monaghan clearly the marquee talent within this unit. All songs are consistent musical experiences, and packed to the hilt with everything you would expect from a world class Hard-Rock release. All engineering's aspects check out. CD Possesses crystal clear high end clarity and thick low end frequency. “From out of Nowhere” definitely a fully loaded 10 track CD that showcases some amazing chops, thought provoking lyrical content, and short and sweet songs. This band is a little dangerous and not to be underestimated. All songs are sung from a deeply honest perspective that is 100% pure and genuine. From rocking “Desert Tonight” to psychotic “Nemesis” to methodical “Oxygen” to hard hitting “Phoenix Bird” and Tie Me Down” to full tilt closing grooves  “Tie Me Down” and “Down” this CD has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with Track 10 “Love Transmission” the perfect finale statement for a CD of this caliber. 
 
CD comes with no case. There is no release date listed anywhere on the disk. All songs under 3 minutes sound like incomplete statements to me. I wish there were more solo segments and vocal harmonies throughout the CD. Songs for song the catalog is a bit repetitive overall. 
 
“From out of Nowhere” by The Sweetlips is an impressive 10 Track musical production from start to finish. The music is clean but heavy, but goes down smooth, with passionate messages that are sung from a deeply honest perspective. Like the aforementioned - fans that like the hard hitting 90's rock will love this CD. Its strong suit – the solid melodic consistency from this trio. I especially like how West carries the melody line on most of the music. There isn’t a weak song anywhere on this entire CD. In the end it proves good Alternative Hard Rock is still alive and well down under.