BERNARD FANNING – CIVIL DUSK

Reviewed By Maddy Brown

There is nothing more fantastic than when a band can blow your mind as a group, but can also individually continue to rock your world with banger after banger. Renowned Australian rock band Powder Finger is celebrated for their phenomenal artists and captivating tunes. Now, all on his lonesome, Bernard Fanning has not once, but twice enthralled our lives with his solo melodic symphony of Aussie rock.

His latest album Civil Dusk, is a showcase of his rollercoaster of a journey as a beloved rock star unveiling the hard and the fun times on his solo excursion. It embodies honesty and change, both good and bad in a wonderful rendition of Aussie Rock and Roll.

Jumping right into the heart of the album Change of Pace introduces us to a new way of accepting and embracing change. It’s speedy and chirpy disposition contradicts the notion that change is scary and unwelcomed, and repositions us to be open to change because it is an exciting moment. The song can easily be used to reflect Fanning’s shift to solo work.

Surrounding this tune, is an array of masterpieces, creating a truly compelling and entertaining album. Wasting Time introduces us to the energy that is to be expected throughout the album, a fun and meaningful collection of music. Unpicking a Puzzle grounds us with its drastically reduced speed and more sincere melody. Sharing this atmosphere is Rush of Blood, a chillingly beautiful arrangement honing in on a sense of regret, almost as if Fanning is still trying to understand his own actions.

Amping the energy back to a high, ending his album is Belly of the Beast; an honest, raw track perfectly sums up the story of his album. Its soothing melody is perfect for a closing song, easing its listener into slowly accepting an end. “Here again I find myself in the Belly of the Beast,” suggests, however, we have been here before trying to decipher the good from the bad and the easy from the tough. One thing is for sure however, it is not an end, merely a pause to the ride we have taken with him throughout his 10-track journey.