The Scare
Oozevoodoo
(EMI)

On Oozevoodoo, Sydney globetrotters The Scare sound like the missing link between the Birthday Party and INXS (pre-'Baby Don't Cry' of course!) and whilst one would think no one were on the look out for such an un-godly combination, here it is. Strangely, it sounds pretty hot.

First track 'Could Be Bad' is one of the most infectious tunes you'll hear all year with a grinding Iggy Pop circa 'Lust For Life' intensity. Following track 'No Money' isn't far behind with it's distorted group sing along refrain making for an auspicious beginning. silverchair main man Daniel Johns is responsible for production and must be mentioned for pushing every track way into the red and letting it bleed all over the place. It still sounds like a million major label bucks, but not in the way you might expect.

Guitars stab, rhythms lurch in a spazzed up Talking Heads kind of way and vocalist Kiss Reid A.D.D's all over the place. One of Oozevoodoo's charms is it's ability to couple youthful obnoxiousness with a healthy dose of playful self-deprecation. 'I'm desperate for your recognition / I'm desperate for your appreciation / I'm desperate for anything at all!' wails Reid...no kidding!

The album kind of flattens out a bit after the first two tracks, the band relying more on their 'totally wired' delivery than the actual tunes. But  'As He Walks' - all theatrical Bauhaus like baritone and dark swamp - is a welcome change of pace, before 'Lucid Dream', an impressive high energy snapshot of the bands journey thus far. Sydney may have been plagued with eunuch-inducing skinny jean-wearing kids for far too long, and whilst 'the Scare' are awash in the same post punk influences, they're way ahead of the pack.

Bevan Schroeder