An album from Sydney without a single note of synth on it? Strange, but true. Talons certainly are not your typical – œSydney band’. They’re not really attached to any scene or fashionable movement. They just go about their business, doing what they do, and doing it their way. What they do is create bracing, affected rock, with snarling overtones of punk attitude, particularly on the gripping opener All the Tricks.

The playing from this three-piece is tight and precise, but not clinically so. There are still plenty of ragged edges left in the music. Talons’ first release, the Ducats EP of late 2007, was recorded by the band soon after their formation. As a result, it showcased whatever songs Talons had under their hats at the time. Despite its occasional incohesiveness, Ducats was a potent opening statement from the band.

Coming some 18 months later, their debut self-titled album is a more balanced effort. The longer tracks see a bit more space introduced between the relentless guitar, drums, bass and vocal assault. However, the intensity of this album rarely lets up, right from its frenetic opening. It’s only at the album’s final seconds – the hypnotic droning outro to the six-minute plus Walking Straight Past Mona Lisa – that your senses get respite from the sonic barrage.

The vocals of Christian Best (who also provided the hand-drawn kaleidoscopic cover art) are alternatively sneered, spat or gutturally screamed. The tone variously looms and soars across the ten tracks, and even within the songs themselves. This is certainly not an album you can ever comfortably relax into. Every time you settle into a tunefully-strummed and softly-sung passage, a jarring mass of noise seems to lurk just around the corner to drag you out of your passivity.

Talons have thankfully recorded this album on their own terms. They’ve had the help of a fundraising gig or two along the way and the redoubtable producer Tim Carr, of 301/Soviet Records at the helm. The band’s pulverising sound has been left untamed. A feisty and at times obstinate album, Talons is like nothing much else hailing from the Harbour City.

Talons is available 30 May through Rice Is Nice. The band hits the road this winter alongside Regular John – see dates below.

Thursday 18th June – Karova Lounge, BALLARAT
Friday 19th June – Ding Dong Lounge, MELBOURNE
Saturday 20th June – Enigma Bar – ADELAIDE
Thursday 25th June – Oxford Tavern, WOLLONGONG
Friday 26th June – Oxford Art Factory, SYDNEY
Saturday 27th June – The Hamilton Station Hotel, NEWCASTLE
Thursday 2nd July – Coolangatta Hotel, COOLANGATTA
Friday 3rd July – The Step Inn, BRISBANE
Saturday 4th July – Hotel Great Northern, BYRON BAY
Wednesday 8th July – Beach Road Hotel, BONDI
Friday 10th July – Sodens, ALBURY
Saturday 11th July – The Area Hotel, GRIFFITH
Friday 17th July – Mona Vale Hotel, MONA VALE