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Sydney Morning Herald/Spectrum
6 May 2006
THE FLOOD - The Late Late Show

Country rock bands - think only of the Dingoes - do it tough in Australia. They can be brilliant, the equal of anything that the US can offer, but there aren't enough gigs or punters. Consider The Flood, a hugely talented Sydney country-rock outfit led by singer-songwriter-guitarist Kevin Bennett (ex-Moving Pictures, Broderick Smith Band) and guitarist James Gillard (ex-Mondo Rock). Musically the band has found a near-perfect balance between commercialism (Hello Blue Sky topped the Australian country charts) and more left-field material (2003 is an ambiguous rumination on the events of September 11).The band's strength lies in great musicianship, well-crafted songs. Is that enough? The result is accessible, quality rock such as the tracks Leave Me Alone and Horses, and classy ballads like All For The Best, written in the knowledge that in Australia a group like The Flood need to find country and rock fans.

Bruce Elder - Sydney Morning Herald/Spectrum

Brian Wise – Rhythms Magazine
April 2006
THE FLOOD - The Late Late Show

The first time I saw The Flood in concert about six years ago I was surprised that the band did not have a much higher profile. I naturally assumed that they were relative newcomers. How wrong could I be? In a crowded Sydney pub, somewhere near Newtown (I think) I declared there and then that I had just heard the best Australian country rock band since The Dingoes. The intervening years have not really done anything to change that opinion.

Nashville-based Kevin Welch must agree because he has not only toured with the band but has recorded a live album with them and also contributes guitar on one of the tracks here. It is high praise indeed – and well-deserved.

It seems to me that the reason The Flood do fly under the media radar here is because they do not fit the moody, over-earnest, shoe-gazing, introspective mould of some allegedly alt.country bands, so they do not quite fit into a trend.

Musically, however, the members of the band are more qualified than most, having contributed to Australian music history through Moving Pictures, Icehouse, Chasing The Train, Mondo Rock, Goanna and others. Songwriter, main singer and guitarist Kevin Bennett is joined by bassist/singer James Gillard, keyboardist/singer Tim Wedde and drummer Steve Fearnley bring impressive credentials to the line-up. With three singers in the band the harmonies are as crisp and clear as you will hear on any overseas album. (I was amazed not to see this album riding high on the ARIA country chart).

Kevin Bennett’s ‘Australian For Broken Heart’ was a finalist for a Vocal Group/Duo of the Year Golden Guitar Award at Tamworth in 2005, while the band also received three top 10 judges selections for APRA Song, Vocal Group & Single of the Year. They also picked up the Tamworth 2006 Vocal Music Group Award.

This follows 2004 finalist nominations for ‘Paul Kelly’s Blues’ in the APRA Song and Vocal Group categories.

The rollicking ‘Hello Blue Sky’, the first single from this third studio album (with Welch as guest) typifies the band’s approach. They play no nonsense country rock, tinged with the occasional blues and Bennett’s soulful vocals.

The variety on the album is also a strong factor in its appeal. On the funky ‘Zevon Said’ Bennett pays tribute to an obvious hero while, on the other hand, a song such as ’Mayday’ could be a huge hit for The Eagles (not that I would ever curse Bennett with that comparison). In fact, ‘Horses’ also has a distinctive Zevon touch to its melody with Wedde’s strident piano setting the tone. The bluesy ‘Welcome To The Undertow’ contrasts with the folksier ‘Moon Going Down (in Charley Patton’s America)’ which leads to a thundering conclusion on ‘Oletta’s Rainbow’.

One hopes that The Flood gets some wider recognition here to encourage them to continue on their current journey, however one suspects that a lot of people will only pay attention if, like Kasey Chambers and Keith Urban, they make some impression in America.

Maybe the best career advice I could give them is to get out of the country! But it would be a pity to lose such a fine band.

Treasure them while they are still here!

BRIAN WISE

Kim Chesire – Country Update
March 2006
THE FLOOD - The Late Late Show

A new Flood CD is always a welcome addition to my music collection and this album is no exception. The current line-up is a leaner and to some degree more accessible version of the band.

It was a sad day last year when previous bassist Wayne “Killer” Kellett departed, and I’m sure that his unassuming charm will be missed by more than a few Flood Fans.

James Gillard is back on the bass, Kevin Bennett on guitar and the whole thing is a sleeker affair.

The sonic quality of the album is the first thing that struck me, Kevin Bennett’s voice would be a joy to behold on a landline from Timbuktu, but handed over to engineers Ted Howard and Jeff McCormack it’s a treat worth savouring.

The instrumentation is sparse, supportive and often quite sublime as it eases these superb songs deep into your subconscious. Exquisite harmonies, great arrangements, understated playing, and grooves to die for.

But it’s the songs that steal the show.

From “Horses” coming on like an outtake from Exile on Main Street, to “Hello Blue Sky” an infectious country romp, featuring Kevin Welsh, and live favourite “Zevon Said”, there are some real gems. Standout tracks are the ballads, a melancholy “Mayday” the McCartneyesque “All For The Best” and the beautiful haunting melody of “Leave Me Alone”

And finally the albums opening tour de force “2003”

This is Kevin Bennett at his absolute best, a kind of “biting the hand that feeds the current political ego” type of song. It’s a look at Australia’s desire to be part of America’s insidious global domination agenda and where that leads us, and it’s a sad and sorry tale to tell. I was in tears the first time I heard this and I’m sure I’m not alone. It’s difficult not to be moved by this plea for political sanity and a cultural identity, in a world awash with war mongering rhetoric and American corporate icons. It’s a triumph of combining great song writing and a thinking man’s conscience with one of Australia’s greatest singers and it burns deep into your soul. Sure it’s the late late show, lets just hope it’s not too late.

Quote:

“…powerful songwriting from Bennett…thought-provoking… great lead vocals from KB and excellent musicianship throughout…It’s already been hailed as their best release, and from this class act that’s a great recommendation.”

DIG'S New Music
Reviewer: Stuart Matchett
29/03/2006
The Late Late Show

One of the tracks ("Hello Blue Sky") on this Flood album won them "Best Vocal Group Performance" at the Country Music Awards in Tamworh in January this year. And that's a problem - and it shouldn't be. The problem is that some people might think The Late Late Show is a country album and therefore miss out on a great Australian album. Sure, there's some country influences and the various members of The Flood appear on a host of Australian country albums but this is a mature rock album in the vein of Bruce Springsteen.

Songs like "2003" are about Australia and our slavish relationship with the United States while "Zevon Said" uses a quote from Warren Zevon as its starting point.  Elsewhere there are stories of great characters as well as great advice. Kevin Bennett's songs are really strong but the band makes them even stronger.

The Late Late Show is a great Australian album and you should give it a good listen and discover a great Australian band.

Stuart Matchett, DIG

Bob Anthony Junior - Tweed Daily News
2 March 2006
The Late Late Show

Golden Guitar winners the Flood have always been regarded as a band of exceptional quality and depth though not strictly in the country vein.

This is their third album and arguably their best. It highlights the songwriting skills of lead singer Kevin Bennett and the musical ability of the band comprising Tim Wedde, James Gillard and Scott Hills.

The Flood is one of those bands who sits under the country umbrella but would be equally at home in the mainstream market if someone would simply give them a chance.

They have a very strong following for a group who has, until recently, not toured extensively.

At Tamworth each Festival, they pack out their gigs at the Tamworth Hotel and this year they finally gained the recognition they deserve by winning the Golden Guitar for Bets Vocal Group.

The album is an interesting mix of musical tempos with songs that both draw you in and have you singing in no time. From tender ballads such as All For The Best through to upbeat numbers like Horses or the current award winning single, Hello Blue Sky, Kevin and the boys handle them all with ease and conviction.

It is an album which will have broad appeal and even though it may not be country in the pure sense of the word, Kevin’s story telling ability suits the genre perfectly.

The Late Late Show is ideal to have in the car, or simply at home to relax with. I have found myself listening to it on my MP3 while out doing the yard work.

Rick Jenner - Capital News
March 2006
The Late Late Show

Well it’s official – THE FLOOD is definitely a country band because they just won the 2006 Golden Guitar for Group/Duo of the year – but for the ever-increasing throng of Flood devotees, the question of categorisation doesn’t come up.

They invariably perform to packed rooms at Festivals like Tamworth, and Kevin Bennett has long carried dual mantles as one of our finest vocalists and songwriters. The band itself doesn’t play the category game – just great music – and it so happens that a fair share of their songs sit well in the country perception – Paul Kelly’s Blues, Australian For Broken Heart, and of course their Golden effort Hello Blue Sky.

This album really cuts to the chase with some powerful songwriting from Bennett – no apologies and some real thought-provoking stuff like 2003 and Zevon Said – great lead vocals from KB and excellent musicianship throughout the crew. It’s already been hailed as their best release, and from this class act that’s a great recommendation.