(Hooch Hound/Shock)

More déjŕ vu pop-rock from Victoria

Melbourne’s Little Red haven’t been around that long, maybe a year or so, but already their lively stage act has garnered a reputation for friendly flashback fun. And there’s no doubt the band’s love of cheery, cheesy retro-pop fuels the 16 tracks on this debut album (with only one cracking the three minute mark). From the appropriately fizzy ‘60s R&B swing of opener Coca Cola (hmm, endorsement deal coming up?) to the closing track Autumn Leaves’ lost Beach Boys balladeering, these cheeky chappies have pilfered pop’s past without embarrassment. For some reason, Melbourne has a track record for this kind of stuff. If it works (Daddy Cool, Jo Jo Zep), the music both connects with the past and takes you somewhere else. So far, Little Red have managed the first bit, but time will tell if they manage the second. In the meantime, there’s almost a practised naiveté at play here, from the doo wop-style harmonies of Fool and the ‘50s rock of Little Annie to the inner city garage punk of She’s Not The Only One, while sax legend Wilbur Wilde adds his sassy touch to Jackie Cooper. At this point, though, they’re still a work-in-progress.         

**˝

BILL HOLDSWORTH

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