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

Ava Mendoza, Gabby Fluke-Mogul & Carolina Pérez

Mama Killa
Burning Ambulance (2025)

Ava Mendoza appeared in the avant-rock scene in the '10s, and throughout the decade, she defined many works with her adventurous guitar playing and tonality. She made her mark through projects like Unnatural Ways, the trio with Tim Dahl and Sam Ospovat, and her split release with Sir Richard Bishop of Sun City Girls, Ivory Tower. Along her journeys, she … Read more

FVRMN

Suicides
Steadfast Records, Sweet Cheetah Records (2025)

Calling themselves "Fevermooon," FVRMN is led by J Holmes and Suicides is the second album in as many years. In a broad summary, I thought Back To The Whip was like a drawn out Leatherface or Jawbreaker record. Similar gruff vocals, personal lyrics, but paced with slower tempos and longer songs. Jumping to the present, Suicides has captured the tone … Read more

Lambrini Girls

Who Let The Dogs Out
City Slang (2025)

I ramble, at length, about basically everything. Word limits fear me. My friends dnf my texts. I think I may have single handedly crashed Twitter. Straight to the point, I am not. However, in the spirit of things, I’m going to dive right in. Who Let The Dogs Out is Lambrini Girls’ first full length album. 11 tracks, 29 minutes, … Read more