Paddle-Pop

Gospel Ambitions
Soft Tigers
Below Par, 2007
3 stars 2.5 stars

Released on cassette earlier this year, Gospel Ambitions is this Sydney DIY, pop, post-punk, raver, white boy rap, whatever else outfit's debut. This is a band burning bright like a sparkler on a birthday cake - probably short lived, but infinitely watchable (or listenable). These guys don't have a 'sound' as much as an overall feeling - here it's the feeling of hanging out in suburban backyards and bedrooms on those long Aussie summer days that seem to go on forever. I mean, there's even cicada and seagull noises on here - this is so Aussie it's not funny. Musically, there's a great mix of styles too, from the 'Sonic Youth with a drum machine' sound of Creation to the Architecture in Helsinki pop of Mr Ice Cream. And if this album was an ice cream it would be a rainbow Paddle Pop, half-eaten and dropped at the beach. Wipe off the sand and tuck in.

Artwork: A

Published in mX, Thursday 1 November 2007.