Spod is not for everyone. The Sydney-based artist is something of an
avant garde performer who mixes kitsch with irony. It’s not always an
entirely successful mix – the joke begins to wear thin after some
time. Still touring on the back of his debut album released several
years ago, it’ll be interesting to see whether he irons out some of
the ‘ho-ho-ho-aren’t-I-clever’ moments in lieu of songs that go above
and beyond the novelty. He’s certainly got it in him, but is he
prepared to forgo the cool factor and instead deliver the hits?
With blonde hair shading his blue eyes, his feedback-laced guitar, and
his throaty roar, Children Collide frontman Jonny Mackay resembles a certain someone. With a three-piece set up – Jonny complemented by
supple, slithering bass and pounding drums – Children Collide bear a
sonic resemblance to a certain band too. And with a clutch of songs in
their arsenal as addictive as nicotine, Children Collide could well be
an Australian export to be reckoned with.
So, yes, Nirvana. Kurt. Grunge. It’s all apparent in the sound of
Children Collide, but the band more than pull it off and bring
something of their own to this rough ‘n tumble sound – certainly they
use the standard loud-quiet-loud template as perfected by the Pixies,
but the Melbourne-born band bring their own take to it all. They’ve
got the goods to duke it out with rivals on the scene who bring to
mind grunge, but they also set themselves apart with some genuinely
thrilling moments.
Amphibious is all rambunctious energy and killer coruscating guitar,
while new single Social Currency has the sort of instant hooks that
made it a natural choice as the first cut lifted from their October-due debut album. That record, produced by Dave Sardy (Jet,
Wolfmother, Dandy Warhols) is certain to position Children
Collide as one of the bands of the new vanguard of Australian music.
