The ROOT! Compendium - Archive

December 7, 2007

ROOT! launched their debut album at The Espy to a packed crowd. The band sported matching suits featuring flowers down the sides and DC (possibly others) had the Root cowboy on the back of his jacket in full colour. A new member of ROOT! appeared on the night and scribed himself as Joe Root.

The band were introduced by comedian Tony Martin and performed a tribute to him titled 'The Tony Awards'.

Setlist

     

1) I'm A Country Member
2) Billy Don't Be A Hero
3) Spring Me Out Of Caroline Springs, Caroline
4) #3/4
5) Shazza and Michelle
6) I Still Call Australia 'HO!'
7) The Tony Awards
8) Pauline Hanson Says There's Christian Muslims Too
9) Crown
10) Back to Mine
11) I Wish I Was Tex Perkins
12) I'll Get My Kicks When I'm 66

Reviews

Seeing as Skip hasn't quite got around to that review... *prods Skip*

It was a really good gig. Tony Martin introduced the band, in his usual comic manner. That is a very funny man.

Once the band got into full swing it was great. I've been listening to the music for a while now (thanks Skip!) and had a reasonably good idea of what to expect.

However, this is a band that you appreciate so much more once you've seen them live. The costumes were good (this is me reviewing, after all!), the sound was fantastic, the songs were catchy.

And I got a new appreciation of some of the lyrics as well. Being a live show, there was more banter than you find on the CD. And some of the banter was highly entertaining.

After all, songs like "I still call Australia Ho", and "Crown Tower Blues", and "I wish I were Tex Perkins" are just begging for extra commentary during a live gig.

And thats what I actually appreciate about this band. They don't take themselves that seriously, they poke fun at our culture and problems, and because of that they're great entertainers.

Most of the songs are a combination of singing and spoken word - it seems a little odd, but it works incredibly well, particularly with a good crowd who are listening and participating, and can relate to the themes.

And thats what I really enjoy about the band. There's a very distinct poetic quality about the lyrics. This is a band that are very comfortable with language, very good at using language to express themselves, and very at home on a stage in front of a crowd and it makes them a delight to see live.

In conclusion - much, much better than I was anticipating.

- Review by "Skip's Girlfriend"