These Melbourne guys are in a very good position, stylistically. They have a sound that can appeal strongly to fans of two of the major streams of hard rock that are big across Australia at the moment. They are straight ahead enough to appeal to fans of simple, four on the floor rock‘n’roll, and have just enough interesting, different stuff going on to attract the attention of people who like the more alternative, progressive side of things.
Whether they set out to achieve this is highly doubtful, of course. Most rock acts simply write what they write and take things from there. And what these guys have come up with is a good, strong and varied collection of excellent rock tunes, delivered with passion and restrained exuberance. That variation comes from tracks such as the slightly slowed down Forever Now, and opener Jealousy, whose string-laden but subtly powerful intro sets things up beautifully, before the track rocks the fuck out in urgent and grooving fashion. There’s more sweet strings, acoustic guitars and piano in the beautiful I’ll be Around, providing even more welcome, mid album light and shade.
From here, as you would expect, the tempo lifts once more as the album sprints for the finish line, before the doubled barrelled finish of the appropriately titled Wrecking Ball, and Stay Outta My Way, a ballsy closer if ever there was one.
These guys are onto a real winner. They rock hard, but with a little intelligence and thought given to it as well. It’s not too cerebral, and not too straightforward and dull. Turning the Tide is a highly satisfying rock album – and it’s Aussie. Check it out now.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Best Track:Jealousy
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: PEARL JAM, RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS, BELLUSIRA
In a Word: Powerful
