Gentle Ben and His Shimmering Hands

Slow Show

…because then comes the crackling “Tactical Empathy” cut with a pruning knife on a Stones / Stooges template , slightly less strong than the first three titles in terms of impact, even if it has two or three voice/guitar gimmicks that will put even the most excited people using electric batteries into a trance. But it was necessary, because the ultimate hit, the enormous, monstrous swamp pop “My Career” arrives at the end of side A. The song jumps to the ears like the crabs on Madame Claude 's boarding house., it will smash everything as it meets the profile of the “radio hit” loved by advertisers to illustrate their messages …

4ZZZ FM - Album Of The Week

From the AOTW Committee - "@gentlebenandhisshimmeringhands returns, this time with his Shimmering Hands, and it's resulted in a fantastic album 'Brut'. For those keeping a close eye on the local Brisbane music scene, they may well remember the last album in 2011 'Magnetic Island' with his Sensitive Side, and they would also point out that Ben Corbett also works up a sweat out front with his brother Geoff in notorious swamp punkers SixFtHick (R.I.P. Fred). Straight out of the blocks with 'De Bliksem', this is a very welcome return. France awaits the band in July."

Plugged Magazine France (June/July)

Absolute masterpiece Ben Corbett’s gang has come a long way. After Sensitive Side, he renamed the group Shimmering Hands. The album opens with “De Bliksem” to stun fans of Nick Cave’s “Red Right Hand” era. First hit. Behind it, there’s a rush on the LP with “Spices” and “Five Stars”, haute couture swamp rock. Next comes “Tactical Empathy” cut to the Stones / Stooges template before the ultimate hit, the swamp pop “My Career” at the end of side A. Let’s move on to side B and its dangerous connections with Tindersticks, Calexico and the very best of Australian swamp rock. On “Murder Rehearsal”, Ben Corbett’s voice melts the fuses. Another hit. “Gold Leaf” is to be rendered goat; then, maybe you think they’ll calm down with “Cover To Cover (Dear Dolly)”? No ! “The Leech” finally offers a little respite before ending with “No Encore” on the razor’s edge. Brut is an absolute masterpiece. Amen!