Trekking the well worn steps to my apartment with the new Dan Kelly and The Alpha Males album I noticed something I had not seen in Melbourne for quite some time; Sunshine! Now I am not generally a believer in serendipity (equating this more with bad John Cusack films) but somehow it seemed as though the thoughtful and hook laden power pop of Dan Kelly and company and this new found bright light were somehow linked.
The opening four tracks of Drowning in the Fountain of Youth sound as though they have been written as a summer soundtrack. Upbeat, catchy and intelligent the band swing effortlessly from Hawaiian tinged guitars, to bottled harmonies and some psychedelic power pop that is reminiscent of a time when Custard were at their peak. This includes Triple J favourite ‘Baby Sitters of the World Unite’ and new arrival ‘Drowning in the Fountain of Youth’ both of which are truly representative of the quality of this long player.
However, the hidden gem of Drowning in the Fountain of Youth is undoubtedly the seven and a half minute epic of ‘Fire and Theft’ [The Landscape Gardener’s Dream] a charming, slightly disturbing and ultimately chaotic tale of obsession. Through an early country groove into a moody mid section (with keys work vaguely familiar of their contemporaries Augie March) the songs protagonist moves from youthful longing into an ill thought out insurance scam and ends up in a ‘ten foot cell’. The subject of unrequited love has never been covered with such simplicity and such detail in the same sitting.
From here the album moves into slower territory. ‘My Brains are On Fire’ builds on the laid back groove of surf music with an arrangement that interplays brass, guitars and vocals building to a chorus that appears made for an armchair on the beach. Wisely, the album picks straight back to its rock pop base with ‘Back on the Booze Again’ a tongue in cheek look at when drinking is no longer an option but a certainty. The song also contains the only moment of the album where it is directly apparent that Dan Kelly is the nephew of Paul Kelly with the megaphone encrusted Dan murmuring a drawl of spoken word that has a surreal Paul feel to it.
And then there is the sweetest song on the album. ‘Drunk on Election Night’, a rambling, comical look at Australia’s political persuasion in which Dan Kelly evokes Ben Lee in melody and Dirty ole’ Bastard in lyrical content. The relaxed and humorous side of Dan’s lyrics on this song (and indeed the album) may distract some listeners from the powerful story teller he is. However, reading through the lyric sheet of the album there is some powerful social commentary that underlies the whole of Drowning in the Fountain of Youth and just because it comes in bright packaging should not make it any less relevant.
Overall Drowning in the Fountain of Youth is a great step forward for The Alpha Males and although it is not quite summer yet it cannot hurt to learn the words now so you can sing along when you are on the armchair later.
