timeOUT's rock journalist Caitlin Williams gets the first word on The Living End's new album ahead of this year's timeOUT Day In The Park on August 13.

With The Living End’s self-titled album reaching no.4 in the Triple J Hottest 100 Albums of All Time earlier this month, fans across the country have been anxiously waiting to get their hands on The Ending is Just the Beginning Repeating, out today. 

In true The Living End fashion, several of the songs on the album have been performed at secret gigs over the past year, allowing Chris Cheney, Scott Owen and Andy Strachan to test them in front of die-hard fans and perfect them.  

Their hard work has certainly paid off, resulting in an album showcasing the band’s maturity and growth throughout their career.  

Track-by-track with Caitlin Williams

In the Morning tells the story of a suburban housewife who breaks free from her cheating husband. Fast guitar and a pulsing drum beat provide a solid base for lead singer, Chris Cheney, to show off his vocals and provide a depth to them not heard previously. 

Heatwave was written about the bushfires that devastated Victoria and the rest of the country. Cheney’s vocals are frantic and desperate as though he’s sounding an emergency alarm to get out. The guitar riffs punctuate the verse, emphasising the vocals and lyrics. One of the earlier songs from the secret gigs, Heatwave has become a fast favourite. 

Machine Gun opens with a loud, staccato riff reminiscent of the very weapon it was named after. Moving into a slower tempo, the lyrics tell the story of a heavy-handed, rough person who is on the brink of losing everything if they continue along the same path. It’s a real rock song with a powerful finish and an amazing guitar riff that leaves you wanting more.

For Another Day is a much slower-paced track compared to previous of songs by The Living End. Much of this album was written about the passing of Cheney’s father Noel and this song sums up the fragility of life beautifully. “There’s no limit to what we can achieve, every moment here is a moment to be seized.” 

Song for the Lonely will be the album’s second single. A marching drum beat and rhythmic guitar riff move into a wall of beautifully created sound. The song is moving and powerful and is sure to be a hit on radios around Australia.

Ride the Wave Boy is punctuated with personal issues for Cheney. The lyrics are deep, telling the story of a man who felt he had nothing more to live for and took his own life. They represent Cheney’s guilt in feeling as though he was not around enough for his father towards the end, as well as the guilt he feels for not helping a former band mate who had a heroin addiction. Musically, there is a lot of depth and power to the song which only adds to the meanings behind it. 

Resist is more melodic and delicate compared to many of The Living End’s previous songs. It takes on a more political theme, as Cheney’s song writing is known to do.

Away From the City is the kind of song that makes you want to get up and dance, Peter Garrett style. More than any other song, it is reminiscent of earlier music by The Living End, with raw vocals and guitar. The staccato riffs in the middle break down into an amazing guitar solo followed by a rare drum solo.  United has a catchy guitar riff that repeats throughout the song. Another of the songs from the secret gigs, United has a strong, powerful chorus uniting those suffering from the trials and tribulations of tough relationships. “I don’t want to be a victim or a casualty, I don’t want to be a soldier on the battlefield of love, we stand alone and divided, we stand as one, we’re united.” 

Universe could well become the next single off this album, given its popularity already among early listeners. With another powerful guitar solo in the middle, the song manages to remain in your head with a melody and lyrics.

The Ending is Just the Beginning Repeating has already hit the airwaves as the album’s first single. The song embraces the theme of the album; questioning the meaning of life and its cyclical nature. A fitting end to the album, TEIJTBR (as it is affectionately known) starts and finishes with a resounding ‘WHOA’, which has already become the encore anthem at the end of gigs.  

After 15 years in the music industry, The Living End is still regarded as one of Australia’s best rock bands.

This album only reinforces that reputation and is a must-have in any CD collection.

Be sure to grab your copy before the boys hit town on August 13 for the 2011 timeOUT Day in the Park festival.

 

>> Check out more at timeOUT Day In The Park

 

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