Aussie Music's next big thing? - Continuum   From reknowned music reviewer Simon Page: “In the last 10 years it has been fantastic to see rock bands like Jet, Wolfmother and Karnivool emerging from Australia. I suggest it won’t be too long before many people will be adding CONTINUUM somewhere on that sort of list."

CONTINUUM  ALBUM   "The Future Is Here"   full review by Simon Page

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard someone tell me about Aussie Music's Next Big Thing...
When you have been involved in the music industry as long as I have it is not unusual to hear bands being talked up. Sometimes the hype is justified while often it quickly fades.  

Recently a contact of mine in the music industry gave me a copy of a band he was listening to and used those words – ‘Next Big Thing’. The name of the band was CONTINUUM. The friend who gave me their CD had heard them up in Brisbane on his last trip to Queensland. He didn’t tell me a lot about them. All he told me was that  to ‘Take a listen’. I had heard the name of the band thrown around once or twice on one of my previous trips to Brisbane but I must admit I actually didn’t even know what genre of music CONTINUUM belonged to.  

The Music
By It wasn’t actually till a couple of days later in the week that I had some spare time to listen to the CD I’d been given while I did some work. It was about 30 seconds into the opening track when I first thought to myself ‘I like these guys’. The sound of the guitars was powerful but clean and the rhythm of the drums was quite tight.

By the time track 3 was halfway through I found my work had been put on hold and I was just sitting and listening. As I got further into the Album, I must admit I was half waiting to hear the ‘filler’ songs typical on many Albums these days. I have been round long enough to hear albums  with 2 or 3 good tracks up front and not much behind them. I am pleased to say that this Album  was reasonably consistent. Overall, a well delivered package.

When I review musical acts I am very often asked to compare the playing style with other bands. I would be reluctant to do that with CONTINUUM. I would probably slide them somewhere into the rock category but this Album  is enough to prove that these fellas shouldn’t be pigeon holed.

The Target Audience
So who will like it? Anyone who enjoys a bit of air-guitar for a start. Really this Album should prove popular with a reasonably wide audience. CONTINUUM  are definitely worth a listen for anyone who likes plenty of guitar and strong work on the drums. You would have to be a tough critic to not find at least 3-4 tracks from this 11 track  Album  to add to the regular playlist on your Ipod.

I’ve since found out that CONTINUUM  have played shows to some pretty packed out venues up in Qld. I can understand why. It is definitely the type of sound that would go down well live. The music is easily digestible and there is enough variety on the  Album alone for a solid set. I for one will be checking them out next time I’m up in Qld or when the guys are on tour around Australia.

Overall, A solid Aussie band
In the last 10 years it has been fantastic to see rock bands like Jet, Wolfmother and Karnivool emerging from Australia. I suggest it won’t be too long before many people will be adding CONTINUUM  somewhere on that sort of list.

As for whether CONTINUUM  will be the ‘Next Big Thing’ produced in Australia, I’m not saying that will or won’t happen. The rise to prominence is often a long one but the foundations of this band certainly have them in a good place. Next Big Thing? Maybe. Worth a listen? Definitely.

Written by Simon Page – (Originally written for Simon’s subscription Music Review Newsletter. Used with permission)