Our favourite Australian trio who, if they become famous world-wide (and they have the material to do that), can list Scotland in general, and Dundee in particular, as one area that realised just how good this band is. Hence, they're our honoured guests here - but is the new CD any good? Oh yes - oh YES!!!
Five tracks that begin with "Pretty Little Face" where the band waste no time with intros - instead it's right into the song proper on a wave of lurching guitar riffs and choppy rhythms as Mick's vocals positively soar through the song, right upfront, emotive, clear and in tune, the band driving forward behind as the song flies, the choruses and harmonies really shining as the aong become eveer more addictive. A sizzling guitar break mid-song leads to a sudden dynamic change as just guitar and vocals take the song forward, the lyrics very sharp and impassioned, as the whole thing flies skywards in a blaze of forceful rhythm work, trailing harmonies and expansive choruses. A superb opener.
From there, "Insane", the second track positively erupts into life with a power and strength that really catch fire and drive it all along, once again, the vocals and playing a total delight as they turn up the intensity and deliver a rousing song that is full of passion, emotion and angst, a bit like INXS at their absolute best - only this is way better. The song twists and turns through dynamic passages, guitar break, staccato rifle bursts of guitar and soaring multi-tracked vocala, all of which ascend to lofty heights as the band plays a blinder of strength and purpose.
"Betrayed By The Bitterness" begins life as more of a pwer ballad with some brooding, emotive vocals, slowly surging guitar riffs, more impassioned vocals and solid rhythms as the more AOR structure of what is a seriously emotive song really takes your heart and spirits it away, the lyrics and singing delivered to perfection, diving and ascending as the song progresses, always veering towards an urgent sense of angst-ridden yearning, climbing to great heights then slowly down only to climb even higher. A truly epic sea of emotive excellence on a rock ballad with great strength and direction, superb arrangements and a stunning delivery from the trio as just under seven minutes fills you with passion..
From there, it's only fitting that "All Too Easy" should burts into life in a blitz of guitar work as the band thunder in and the soaring vocal takes off once more, shards of guitra leads pouring out of the airwaves, as the song drives to wards a glorious multi-tracked vocal chorus, harmonies and lead vocals to die for and the whole band delivering the goods yet again and thr drums roar forward, the bass really flies and the guitar work sparks at every opportunity, the whole sound totally expansive and fiery, with some searing guitar leads, rock solid rhythms, more passion and storming vocals on verses and choruses, class, quality, determination and purpose flying out by the shedload on a surging song that it simply stunning.
So to "Sucker", and if you might even have had an inkling that, after the amazing songs you've heard so far, they surely cannot keep up such consistency, they only go and turn up the anti to deliver the best song on the whole mini-album. Starting strong and forceful, but mid-paced and full of emotive power in every department, the song and razor sharp arrangement continue to a mid-point where the song appears to stop - for a second - then this barrage of guitars erupts if flaming Jimmy Page fashion as the drums and bass thunder in to join this enormous inferno of rock solid anthem, the song soaring heavenwards and dropping back to earth. A slowly atmospheric section then ensues as the guitar drops all the way down, echoed drums and deep bass usher in ringing, shining slow guitar chords as this instrumental section is a thing of shining beauty and gorgeous guitar work, the whole thing slowly building as the guitar work piles on the pressure, the rhythm section returning with strength as the final chords ring out and the track ends on an air of expectancy, leaving you wanting to do nothing more than play the whole thing over again.
With influences and references that could be placed in territories as far and wide, as unwitting and conscious as the lies of Led Zeppelin, INXS and Porcupine Tree, but all forged and stamped with an identity and sound all their own, songs to die for, a delivery nothing short of exceptional and arrangements, writing, playing and producing that are absolutely spot on, this is a near half hour CD that is simply faultless, totally enjoyable, commercial and consistent and the sort of songs that wil sound as good in ten years time as they do now.