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A brief word about the genre, which has already been thoroughly discussed, but one shouldn’t be deterred by that. That Australians can rock is scientifically proven, and with THE SMITH STREET BAND (silly name, by the way), it certainly looks that way. In almost every song, loud sections alternate with quiet ones, so the best of both worlds is represented here. One could only complain that this stylistic device is somewhat overused over the length of the album, just like the tempo halving in the emotionally shouted chorus. But that’s really just a detail, as each song stands on its own and is capable of captivating. And the guys can play too.
One element that may divide opinions is the singer's voice. He not only sings passionately off-key for at least half the time, but also clearly lets his regional accent be heard. He sounds like some Average Joe telling you about his life in a pub while happily drinking beer. And he looks the part too! After an initial surprise, I find it ultra-sympathetic; I can’t stand hearing singing students in impeccable American English pouring their heartache out over an acoustic guitar anymore. That’s punk; the feelings need to come out, and no one asked Rio Reiser if he sang beautifully. And just as I was wondering who this reminded me of, it turned out that Jeff Rosenstock from the brilliant BOMB THE MUSIC INDUSTRY produced the album* – no wonder, as he knows how to churn out well-written, melancholic-melodic songs without regard for his own vocal abilities. And it works, mate! Clear recommendation for those who like to listen to the lyrics and want to discover something new on a record even after the fourth time. Man, I really need to get out more.
* King Kraut's punk rock tip! You can find his and other recommendable music for free at QUOTE UNQUOTE RECORDS.
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