(Half A Cow Records/MGM)

Old school jangle pop from appealing Melbourne band

Suitably released on Valentine’s Day (awwww!), The Brutals’ new album The Honeymoon Period is full of music with a romantic notion of indie pop, recalling the ‘80s approach to the genre when underground bands truly marched to the beat of their own drums, ignoring fashionable trends in image or production. Thus, The Brutals’ record possesses the warm sparseness of early REM or Lemonheads, making the indie label Half A Cow their perfect home. This label was known for the ‘90s fuzz pop of bands like Smudge and Godstar, and in recent years has been responsible for reissuing buried treasure from the vaults of ‘60s Australian garage rock. So, the jangling revisionism of The Brutals is surrounded by thoroughly appropriate company. From the rousing, sunshine chords of Goldilocks and the gentle Grant McLennan-esque folksiness of Jeneane Jeneane to the Sweetheart Of The Rodeo melancholy of Jack Frost, this is one honeymoon you won’t mind extending.

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MATT THROWER

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