Reviewed by Veronika Van Der Walt & Duzzy Clayton

Scanner is a band that needs no introduction, having been around 1970s, the band has been rocking for a long time and each time they release something new, they manage to keep up with the times but always having that Scanner sound we have to love. 

The band has just released a new EP, namely, Shut It Out, and for new fans of the band, you have decided to discover their music at such a great album with this great album. Old fans would appreciate the sound they love of Scanner, but also appreciate this album as something new and fresh from the band

We take a look at each track on the album and give our thoughts: 

1. Rockers
I was very excited when I read the title of this track since I love rock music. It starts with an exclamation of “listen up”, which got my attention immediately. I then saw in my mind a rock band driving in a van, picking up Dave Grohl (which did happen when he was very young), on their way to rock a stage! I especially liked the lyrics “Powerful women! Shakin’ and rockin’ the earth! Kickin’ down the doors and burnin’ up the rules!”. This says that not only can men be rockers but women too, which I love because I’ve always wanted to be a rocker chic hehe. I can see myself shredding the guitar on stage while I was just standing on my bed playing my “air guitar” lol. The guitar playing is very good, which is done by Junnie Fortney, not me lol. An overall good rock anthem, which I enjoyed very much.

2. Personality
Awesome guitar work in the beginning. This one is about being yourself and not being “fake” for me. Beauty magazines are full of skinny people, making you feel ugly. But do they have personality?… I see a nerdy teenage girl walking through the school hall, looking at those cheerleaders, thinking she is ugly. But she has a great personality – she’s smart and has a great sense of humour. I think a lot of people can relate to this track. It doesn’t matter what others think of you as long as you’re doing your best – you are enough!

3. Dream
The introductory words are spoken by Daniel Vimont. The Matrix movie immediately comes to mind lol. We’re all sleepwalking in a dream like zombies without a purpose. It’s in this track that the title of the album ‘Shut It Out’ occurs. I think it’s made up of ‘shut up’ and ‘shout it out’ illustrations by the cover art by the Australian digital artist, Dan Verkys, of a person drowning and screaming. It’s like Joe is telling our “puppet masters” to shut up, we don’t want to hear your purpose for us lol. Again, amazing guitar playing!

4. Codes
I first thought this track would have something to do with computer codes lol. “Codes” is from a concept created by Memphis Mike Metzger. It sounds like a man loving a beautiful, long, and maybe gothic woman, but is unsure of her feelings. She does give him clues about how she feels “with all her secret… codes”. They climbed into her car, and she had red lipstick on, watching him in the corner of her eye. She gave him a “secret sign,” but he didn’t catch on. Her mission was a go”. You can almost feel her frustration. I think many can relate to being unsure of someone’s feelings or maybe being the one who “sends signals” that don’t get “received”. Very interesting song!

5. Cold (Bonus Track)
“The song, Cold, is performed and produced by a collaboration of diverse vocalists and musicians from around the world. The musical collective consists of Jukka Ruottinen, a vocalist and musician from Finland. Jukka is part of various bands, including Two Nails In A Coffin, Old Men’s Burden, Bom Lulu, The Psycho Season, The Wrong Car, as well as a solo artist. Dawn Melanie is a South African Celtic, folk, avant-garde, singer, songwriter, storyteller, composer, and musician. Joe also works with Jukka in their eclectic music group, Two Nails In A Coffin. Rounding out the collective is HEXebyte from the U.S.A. doing synths and production, and Ray Hawkins from the U.S.A. on percussion. Cold was written and composed by Joe Brady.”

It makes me think of the scene in the second Twilight movie where Edward (the cold vampire) left Bella, when I read the group name ‘Two Nails In A Coffin’ lol. I also know Joe is a huge old horror movie fan. Jokes aside… the track could be about emotional coldness, like two lovers missing each other, or someone missing a deceased loved one. The voices of the two different artists portray it. The coldness is described with such detail that I got cold chills. I think it has more emotional meaning than we think. Pure poetry by Joe.

Great rock album with a surprising, contrasting last track! Well done, Scanner!

You can listen to Scanner every Friday for Scanner Friday on the Brunch and Lunch show with Duzzy Clayton.

Band Members and credits are: 

Joe Brady – Lead Vocals and Bass
Junnie Fortney – Guitars
Ray Hawkins – Drums
Leo “Doc” Dockery – Backing Vocals

Special guest on “Dream:

Daniel Vimont – spoken intro
“Codes” is from a concept created by Memphis Mike Metzger, with lyrics and music by Joe Brady
Special Guests on “Cold”: Jukka Ruottinen (lead vocals and guitars), Dawn Melanie (lead vocals)
Cover art by the Australian digital artist, Dan Verkys: www.gardenofbadthings.com
Produced by: Jason Shaffer and Joe Brady at Full Tilt Productions

Listen to the album here:
https://scanner1979.bandcamp.com/album/shut-it-out

And follow Scanner here:
https://www.facebook.com/Scanner1979