(Honey Trap)

Australian rock’s best kept secrets? Really?

Yes, you must always treat a claim like that with barely a raised eyebrow. In a musical sphere where the ability to locate any band instantaneously is commonplace, there may be other reasons why a group has failed to develop any sort of large-scale following. The most common cause is that they’re actually not that good. Halfway through listening to Living Receiver and I’m surmising that this is the case with this band. Some big names were enlisted to produce and mix this debut, but I’m left with an overall apathetic taste in my mouth. Actually, the overarching emotion is angst, as the post-grunge arena rock heard here has all the emotional depth of Live, Creed or any number of bands whose influence should have died out years ago. Oh, this is our sad ballad, this is our chest-beating rocker … this is the one where our guitarist plans to pull off a sweet solo with his foot on the monitor. Just in case Thirsty Merc need a support band any time soon...

MITCH ALEXANDER

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