(Spicerack Records/D.D. Music)

Part purgatory, part celebratory, all alt-countrylicious. Yeah, it’s a word now.

I had the opportunity to catch Mr. Nugent (no relation to the gun-toting redneck rocker Ted) only a few weeks ago. And while it was a pleasure to see this Melbournian win over an audience with just a voice and some sparse strumming, I almost feel cheated after listening to Happy Hour. Because, when supported by a full backing band that includes organs, pedal steel guitar and a brass section, this guy cooks like a season finale of Iron Chef. But it’s not entirely sunshine and lollipops (it’s slightly country, why would it be?), with Sime using the band and his dynamic voice to create songs that begin with a heavy heart, and it’s only towards the end that you get a glimpse of the light. Much like the album title’s celebrated drinking window, it starts out slow, picks up in the middle, but it’s over too quickly and the girl whose attention you’ve tried to grab all night is still not interested.

MITCH ALEXANDER

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