These Australian power-poppers obviously watched way too much TV stoned - with this album dedicated to characters from Get Smart, F-Troop and Petticoat Junction. Their debut gets the whole bridging the 60s with the 80s thing down pat. The Australian cover art is Welch-ian (Raquel) and the rest just pure bitchin' babe.
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Kaleidoscope World The Chills 1987 [Flying Nun]
The most important proponent of New Zealand's early-80s 'Dunedin Sound' - a minimalist type of lo-fi new wave jangle-pop. Mainstay Martin Phillipps has seen so many lineup changes he has lost count. The delightful Kaleidoscope World is their most psychedelic work, gathering together all the group's early singles and EP appearances.
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At First Sight The Stems 1987 [Citadel]
At the peak of their popularity Oz garage band the Stems pulled the plug when it all got too much. Their legacy is this great record influenced by a clutch of bands from the Nuggets anthology and home-grown legends the Easybeats. A successful reissue of the album in 2003 saw them back together and playing to packed houses.
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Starfish The Church 1988 [Arista]
Australian 'new wave' band that never quite fit the mould because of their neo-psychedelic guitar-driven style. After a rocky road early-on, the band landed in LA's unfamiliar surroundings to record Starfish for Arista records. The album and the dreamy single 'Under the Milky Way' would prove to be their commercial breakthrough.
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Highly Evolved The Vines 2002 [Capitol]
The Vines play a straightahead style of garage post-punk lifted straight from the seminal Nuggets compilation. It's got grunge, it rocks, it trips and it's great fun. Although they have struggled for acceptance on their Australian home ground, the band has been a huge critical hit elsewhere, making the covers of both the Rolling Stone and NME.
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Lovers The Sleepy Jackson 2003 [Capitol]
Outstanding Australian outfit named for a former drummer who was narcoleptic. The music is anything but, defying easy categorisation. Baroque elements combine with tripped-out pop melodies, all delivered with class by frontman Luke Steele. Those familiar with the Oz music scene will instantly recognise a range of home-grown influences.
Chuck together all the kitschier Tolkien-esque elements of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, put it to some heavy riffing and one day you might win a Grammy. The main object is to make sure the riffs are catchy enough to be used in advertising campaigns. It's all great fun and exceptionally well played, but not to be taken too seriously.
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This Vital Chapter The Panda Band 2006 [BamBoo]
Eclectic Perth-based band that has gained a solid following in Australia with JJJ radio faves 'Sleepy Little Deathtoll Town', 'Eyelashes' and 'Ghosts Have The Best Time'. The tour supporting the Stateside release featuring a slightly different track lineup kept the band busy throughout 2007. One to keep an eye on.
