Although a fan of The Meanies, I properly first got into Lindsay McLennan via Tomorrow People and the wonderful Shining album in 1997. One look at his Discogs page will show many of his adventures, but he will be forever known as Link Meanie, the front man of The Meanies, Australian national treasures.
The band are close to completing their 4th decade. Known for Punk, there is a copy element at times, short songs that never extend their welcome. Bass Player, Wally Meanie (Kempton) is noted for Cheersquad Record, a label that is exemplary in celebrating the Australian music scene.
Link McLennan as he is known here has never been afraid of genre swapping and Bagful Of Beez are a delightful listen. Now a proper band for the second album, the first being a McLennan solo affair, the concentration is largely intelligent Pop Rock, but also a testament to his adventures across his career.
Wonkavision, for example, is glorious Psych Pop. Yet, Keep Up The Joneses is great Beat Pop. Smart Enough To Know I'm Stupid is glorious Brit Pop and the title track is wonderful Dream Pop. You now must realise that In Parallax is full of variety.
Bliss And The Abyss closes the album with a glorious instrumental, cinematic, part New Wave, part Telstar and Reach For The Stars is Glorious Pop. Odd Couple is 60s Easy Listening and Meghan Maike's sugar sweet vocal turns the slightly Space Age Fever Dream into great Pop, McLennan singing a killer chorus.
There's not a duff song among the 13 here and no song is like the last. McLennan's songwriting is at a peak. The band is a complete unit and the arrangements are inspired. The whole thing is filled with joy and underlines what a career, that McLennan continues to have. Absolutely Splendid!
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You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on different Vinyl versions and as a download.
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