The Australian (or Australasian) progressive/alternative/experimental rock scene is a veritable feast for the senses, and has been for many years now. It continues to astound with just about every new entry into its now illustrious history, and another grand new chapter has just opened.
This Kiwi, now Melbourne-based, experimental four-piece are mining some rather unique ground on this, their debut album. You can detect traces of influences, but they are rather obscure within the context of their sound, and ultimately the output they produce is something completely their own.
If a simple, convenient classification is required, then ‘experimental rock’ may have to be it. But this is so much more than that. First of all, it remains highly appealing, and regular rock fans will find something to like here. At the same time, it creates an atmosphere that, once again, I’ve really not heard anywhere else. It’s like a boiling pot, where a weird and wonderful concoction of strange ambience, moody vocals, electronica, at-times frenetic drumming and quirky but epic songs are mixed together. But what is ultimately served onto your plate is eminently palatable.
Anyone who says anything along the lines of ‘nobody’s doing anything new with rock music these days’ needs to be given a thorough education, and Telescapes is a great place to start. If ever a single album could change the minds of the narrow minded, this is it.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Best Track: (b)TtM2
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: A LONELY CROWD, SLEEPMAKESWAVES, RADIOHEAD
In A Word: Individual
