One of the great things about contemporary Australian music is the amount of genre-bending artists out there experimenting with new forms and different sounds. It’s fantastic, but every now and then you need a solid dose of good ol’ nostalgic Aussie rock’n’roll. Cue the car stereo and Dallas Crane’s latest offering, Scoundrels.
It’s been a long wait since their highly acclaimed Factory Girls LPcame outin 2006. However, the Melbourne boys have finally resurfaced and in Scoundrels, they’ve produced a very solid, well-rounded release. I defy anyone to spin it a couple of times and not have the first three tracks swirling round your head. First up, Sunnyside is everything Aussie rock should be: up-tempo, riff-heavy, and led by the raspy vocals of frontman Dave Larkin. Hearing Larkin belt out the song’s catchy chorus makes you want to jump in a car and hit the road for a summer road trip. The single I’m Sorry Darling is deserving of ample airplay, and lyrically sets the tone for much of the album; feelings of regret, wrongdoing, and the grittier side of life.
As the album progresses, there’s a mix of harder-edged material and slower rock ballads – Come to Light and Lucky Me in particular exemplify the latter. There’s also a range of grungier sounds, and this playfulness is the album’s most endearing feature. Disillusioned features interplay between guitar riffs, keys, and Larkin’s vocals, and it’s a damn pleasure to listen to.
If you’re on the lookout for some prime Aussie rock’n’roll, Scoundrels will get you pumped up for summer.
BY EBEN ROJTER
