The Nature Strip - Domesticated Beast

 

I suppose that for all our adventures around Indie and more, if we had a centre point, it would be intelligent melodic Guitar led Pop. Bands that are not of the lyrically banal, magpie, riff gathering persuasion. Here's a fine example of what I mean.

The Sydney quartet master the catchy with bigger than expected arrangements and gentle-ish vocals, but wrap surprisingly adept lyrics around instrumental excellence. If the past few years have been dominated by great Canadian albums, this year feels like the resurgence of Australia. 

Australia used to more than hold its own Power Pop wise, but it seemed to be overtaken by a mixture of Blues Rock and melodic Indie Pop. Add into that passive Psych and Prog, too many bands wanting to be King Gizzard. Vocalists seemed to want to be Jimmy Barnes or Neil Finn. Now the fightback is on.

You've already heard Wavelength on Listening To The Week and that is one of the singles of the year. The Nature Strip's fourth album adds 11 more songs and what songs they are! The variety on display is both delightful and a little jaw dropping at times.

You get Brass laden Summer Pop with Prime Time and even more Brass on the smooth 80s sounding Surgery. Sixth Sense is great 60s UK Beat Pop whilst Signature Move is more 70s Pop Rock and The Big Chorus gets close to Yacht Rock.

Baby Beast is all Psych Pop and there really should be more Mouth Organ in Indie Rock. Monday (Roll The Dice Forever) could easily be on an 80s Teen Movie Soundtrack and this lot can Rock testified by the superb opener, I Cannot Deny You which Jangles like a good 'un.

Both Wavelength and Prime Time even encroach into more recent Andy Partridge territory which is no bad thing. Domesticated Beast is an absolute belter of an album. An explanation at joyful Pop can be and how it can change the weariest of minds into something far more positive.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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