ABC Website
July 2003
Review of "The Flood"
by Jo Printz
Sydney five-piece band The Flood have been around for a few years, but only about 12 months with their current line-up, and this self-titled album is their second...a secret track on this CD reminds us of their first effort, The Ballad of KB. The group has a musical pedigree to die for in this country, with former Mondo Rock bass player James Gillard, singer/songwriter and guitarist Kevin Bennett, possibly best known by the general public for his time in the 80's rock band Moving Pictures, as well as keyboardist Tim Wedde, drummer Steve Fearnley and bass player Wayne Kellett...who between them have probably played along-side every Australian rock and country act of the last 20 years. It's no wonder they're known to regularly attract audiences of other truly appreciative local musicians.
The Flood have been compared to some of the greats - Bob Dylan, The Band, Tim Buckley, The Rolling Stones, John Prine, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young... and more recent 'alt-country' bands like Wilco and Whiskeytown. Which is all well and good - but they're distinctly Australian too, proclaimed most strongly in tracks like Queensland and Paul Kelly's Blues. There's a touch of 'Axiom' in the first track on the album, Felt Like Mine, and fun to be had with You Might Be There. This is true 'roots' music - a little blues, a little country, some soul, and a truckload of rock! Keep an eye out for them in the live music listings, but settle in with this CD in the meantime...
Rolling Stone
May 2003
Review of The Flood
by Jeff Apter
There's echoes of Wilco and The Band in the second LP from these Sydney-based minstrels, but they give everything a local twist, without getting all John Williamson on us. The primo cut is 'Paul Kelly's Blues'.
Green Guide, The Age, Melbourne
24th April 2003
Review of "The Flood"
by Mike Daly
This Sydney based country/rock outfit is led by veteran singer/songwriter /guitarist Kevin Bennett (ex-Moving Pictures, Broderick Smith Band) and guitarist James Gillard (ex-Mondo Rock), with keyboard player Tim Wedde, plus bassist Wayne 'Killer' Kellett and drummer Steve Fearnley.
They will tour with Kevin Welch later this year, coinciding with the release of a CD the United States troubadour recorded with the band at Sydney's Basement club on his last visit.
The influences of Welch and his Dead Reckoners compadres are strong on The Flood's eponymous debut CD, while the band also acknowledges Dylan and John Prine, all elements assimilated into typically tough country fare, featuring Bennett's incisive writing, raw vocals and guitar.
Highlights are the loping 'Bound to Fall' with Mark Collins on banjo, and the terrific "hidden" track, The Ballad of KB.
Northern Daily Leader
15th March, 2003
by Anna Rose
The piece de resistance was Sunday night at the Unity Hall Hotel, Balmain, where the faithful flock once a month. Superb singer-songwriter Kevin Bennett out front of The Flood - a stripped back, exquisite version of the band, with the gorgeous Tim Wedde on keyboards and accordion, Wayne 'Killer' Kellett on bass guitar, and drummer Steve Fearnley.
Missing in action from the line-up was James Gillard, who was either "communing with the Dalai Lama", or perhaps he too was on the road with LK. No offence to James, who is always easy to listen to, but the band simply rocked the place without him. I've never been to a Sydney pub before where the entire place turned out to see the band. Usually you get the music crowd and the drinking crowd at opposite ends of a pub.
Simply a very good album from one of the best bands around.
At the Unity Hall, even the blokes out the back playing pool were singing along with KB's songs - word for word. They were obviously regular "church" goers. "It's almost a religious experience", one punter said. "We all turn up for church every month - and even the security guys on the door love the band."
This gig is also a meeting place for professional musicians. Singer Bernie Segedin, who we caught a set or two of at a pub in The Rocks area on Saturday afternoon, turned up to The Flood gig and jumped up to sing harmonies with Kevin Bennett. What a bonus! This man has a great voice - and with KB's dulcet tones, it really was a treat for the aural orifices. With choice music around like that, you wouldn't be dead for quids, would you?
Newcastle Herald & Central Coast Herald
March 2003
Review of "The Flood"
by Darrell Croker
THE masters of alt-country have finally released a follow-up to their brilliant debut album. It's not as if the boys have been lazy. Two of the band, Kevin Bennett and James Gillard, released the independent album Two last year. And the band is constantly booked, which is why they haven't played locally yet although Bennett and Gillard appeared at a Songwriters Unplugged night at the CBD Hotel in Hunter St late last year.
There's also a hidden 11th track, The Ballad Of The Ballad Of KB, a subtle reminder of the first album. You won't hear better ballads than Paul Kelly's Blues or House On The Hill. But there's something for everybody, including a Dylan-esque Bound To Fall.
Remember the first time you heard Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young or The Band or Creedence or even our own Axiom? The Flood have paid their dues. They pack out Tamworth country music festival gigs as easily as Balmain pubs so dip your toes in the water.
Sunday Herald
23rd Feb. 2003
Review of "The Flood"
by Keith Glass
In short, Australian soul and the in-crowd/muso's faves from inner-city Sydney deliver a fine second album here. Engineers Trent Williamson and Mark Collins get a great sounding space between the instruments, while the latter also picks a mean banjo on a few of the standout tracks, all from the pen of lead singer Bennett except the rocker Queensland, co-written by Collins.
With James Gillard on guitars, mandolin and great harmonies, Tim Wedde keyboards, Wayne Kellett bass and Steve Fearnley drums, this is a fabulous band that could make anything sound good -- but luckily here has choice stuff to work with. Country, soul, rock -- it is all of these; and intriguing pieces such as Paul Kelly's Blues and the stretched-out closer No Highway help make this a welcome addition to any roots music collection.
01: Felt Like Mine
