Australian fuzz-pop five-piece Season 2 seem to be a supergroup of sorts, with their various members appearing in a whole other raft of acts with this two guitar, keys, bass and drums line up seriously enlivened by the fact that all five sing.
Their sound is an effervescent rush that clocks in on Power Of Now at eleven songs in a half-hour or so and the lyrics that reflect boredom and frustration with modern life are delivered in an insouciant and carefree way, but with a touch of disaffection. This is slightly at odds with the breakneck rhythms and guitar that tingle and crash. There is something dizzying about the short and sweet sugar rush, but like any confectionery buzz, there are plenty more flavours and textures in the pack.
Funnily enough, I was reminded of a female Lawrence from Felt on opener “What For” as the skiff-scuff drums abound in the background. There is something rather deep and a little abstract about the lyrics, but I really liked the lines “So quite in this sun-steeped room / Where the odds are stacked against the truth” and this kind of poetic resonance flows through the album.The songs fizz in an indie kind of way that is reminiscent of the ’80s scenes both in the UK and Oz and although the lyrics are existential, there is sharp, dry light that shines through the songs. Cymbals are tight and fit to shatter, while the louche vocal delivery reacts against the tempo.
“Abundance Of Power” is slower and slightly bass-heavier, its guitars slashing across the chorus and it suits the attitude of life passing by. Generally the tracks whizz along, taut and oddly tuned just to keep us guessing, dragging the vocalists along and then injecting unlikely and haphazard guitar solos when we least expect it.
It is pretty breakneck in its insistent tempo and for every brief lull — as in the hi-hat pummelling “In The Pits” — the tempo is regained almost immediately due to the succinct nature of the songs. They never outstay their welcome and as well as the variety of vocalists, a shout out has to go to drummer Carolyn Hawkins who mixes things up track by track, throwing in unusual rhythms to help keep the interest; not that it is needed.
The album ends with the Fall-like rhythm and toneless delivery of “And Again”, the perfect encapsulation of their ability to wrap the elements of boredom and frustration in a fizzy coating that makes the truth easier to swallow. The whole album can be taken in one sitting and then played again straight away while other bands are still lumbering to a conclusion. Power Of Now is well worth the effort.-Mr Olivetti-
