Martin Cilia - The Odd One Out (2009)

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Martin Cilia - The Odd One Out (2009)

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Atlantics' guitarist Martin Cilia's new CD ventures far afield from the surf sounds of Oz's principal progenitors of the aquatic sound. While this is not at all surf, it sure is good! Superb playing (you expected that, of course) is matched with really good arranging and writing. The Odd One Out is a fine release.

Track by Track Review:

The Odd One Out - Rock (Instrumental)

This is a very light hearted song, with very pleasant tone and a genuine pop lilt. This is a thoroughly delightful track. Precision and fluid, with an easy sound.

Real To Reel - Rock (Instrumental)

"Real To Reel" uses a circular riff and has a somewhat gentle rock edge. At times, I am reminded of Cat Mother and the All Night News Boys, though it's just a fleeting reference point.

Cry For A Shadow - Rock (Instrumental)

This is a really nice treatment of The Beatles' "Cry For A Shadow." It's arrangement is relatively original. This early George Harrison and John Lennon instro has been covered a lot, but not really like this. The guitar is echoed British, but the backtrack is more rock and more original. The drums play a surf beat.

Exile On Chapel Street - Rock (Instrumental)

Martin Cilia is having way too much fun with his echo box in the beginning. This has a twangy thick guitar duet sound and an infectious rhythm. I found that "Exile On Chapel Street" really grew on me as I listened. As a reference point, Germany's Epitaph might due if you mutated them into a more joyous sound. Quite nice.

Medication - Rock (Instrumental)

"Medication" is an almost jazz instro with a light sound and uplifting gate. Its sound and melody are purely enjoyable, and suggest a top down summer drive through the valley.

The Same Song Remains - Rock (Instrumental)

"The Same Song Remains" is a saucy rock guitar instro with a fine melody and very nice backtrack. Superb playing and arranging result in a fluid and satisfying track.

Chunky - Rock (Instrumental)

"Chunky" is a funky, bluesy jam with great bass work and drums. The riff is catchy and well played. There are some flying guitar lines in the break too.

Pick On Me - Country Rock (Instrumental)

Boy does this creep up on you. Within a few lines, I discovered I was quite enamored with this track. "Pick On Me" is country flavored and entirely fun. Its catchy riffs and splendid performance caliber are irresistible.

Ancestor - Rock (Instrumental)

Built around a wonderfully infectious rhythm, "Ancestor" is endearing and wonderfully engaging. Its chemistry and sense of rhythm in time are splendid, and the extremely artful changes between the various movements is simply commanding. Wonderful, sophisticated, and enthralling.

West Of Bondi - Rock (Instrumental)

"West Of Bondi" has a traveling sound and flowing melody line that tells a story. Arranged with a genuine sense of ensemble, this song just feels complete. Its aural qualities transcend its fundamental style.

1993 - Rock (Instrumental)

Big drama, sweeping imagery, and a relentless beat power this picturesque song. "1993" is sophisticated without being prog-pompous. Martin Cilia's work here is at the upper echelons. A fine track.

Road To Ballarat - Rock (Instrumental)

Imposed vinyl noise give this finger picked acoustic guitar number a gentle and vintage feel. Simply pretty and emotional.

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Martin Cilia - The Odd One Out (2009)

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About Martin:

Martin was born in Rochford, Essex, England in December 1958. He moved to Perth, Western Australia with his family in January 1968. Martin played his first ‘gig’ in a school hall (Morley High) in 1972 with fellow students. He can remember playing Apache & Peace Pipe by the Shadows, I’m a Believer – The Monkees, Beatles & Cat Stevens’s songs and a few others.

By age 14 he was doing professional gigs playing songs by The Beatles, Stones & hits of the time. Around age 15 or 16 Martin was playing professional gigs with some older guys (they were around 20 or so) often playing 5 gigs a week. He recorded some demos and played in various bands (Band Listing) until 1979 when he went to London for a year. He joined original pop/rock band Urban Clearway with whom he recorded a couple of demo tapes that were shopped around the record companies. The band had some interest from Island records in London. He then returned to Australia & played in various line ups (Band Listing)

In 1982 Martin joined Perth band ‘Invasion Force’ later to be called ‘Force’ where he met Alf Demasi & Lloyd Allanson with whom he formed the legendary Perth band “The Flying Fonzarellis”. The Flying Fonzarellis released several recordings & toured Sydney in 1984. The band had some chart success holding the number one spot in Perth for a few weeks.

After the Fonzarellis he went on to play in Dave Warner's "Sensational Sixties" & then with Midget & the Farrellys who were popular in Fremantle throughout the Americas Cup yacht race. He went on to tour & record with Dave Warner's band.

Martin moved to Sydney late in 1989. He played & recorded with The Brookes (see discography). He thinks they were a good band, but probably not right for that time. He toured Western Australia in 1993 with the “Big Land Big Heart” tour. That band contained Dobe Newton (Bushwackers), Ernie Dingo, Dave Warner, Greg Macainish (Skyhooks) Paul Hitchins (Sports) Dave Clarke & Martin. They toured Vietnam with a similar concept in January 1994 .

While in Sydney Martin performed with Slide McBride playing anything from jazz to rap and everything in between. The band literally had hundreds of songs in its reptoire.

In 1998 he started recording some instrumental guitar songs. Bosco Bosanac, the bass player with legendary Australia group “The Atlantics” heard one of his demo tapes. One Friday afternoon Bosco called Martin. He said "you sound all right on the recordings but can you play live?" His band's guitarist had just called in sick. Martin did the gig and must have done ok because Bosco told the other guys from The Atlantics about him - the rest is history.

Since then the Atlantics have gone onto record many of Martin's songs, which have appeared in feature film soundtracks, surf movies, playstation games, the list goes on.

In 2007 Martin released his solo album "Revenge of the Surf Guitar" to universally positive reviews.

Martin Cilia Homepage

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Martin Cilia - The Odd One Out (2009)

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