polaroids of androids

In a perfect world Melbourne's Actor/Model would be the kind of band that we (Australians) would be exporting to the world. They have influences but by no means are they as transparent as the local bands that actually do make it overseas. They are insanely catchy without blatently ripping off a previously succesful formula. Their stripped back honesty isn't bogged down with overly emotional and pretentious crap. They would fit in opening for an over-hyped overseas act just as much as they would knocking at an impromptu warehouse party. Gossip About Guys is a brilliant five-track EP of catchiness and childish charm without even a whisper of the normal contrived bullshit that comes packaged with the majority of local releases.

The opener My Agent Says... is a catchy tongue-in-cheek play on their paradox nature of their chosen band name. It's sonically perfect and topped with an atmospheric feel. The track naturally flows from chorus to verse and back again.

The band create an unbelievable large sound for trio, especially evident on the second track Chicken Salt Coast which starts with a Strokes-like riff only to be layered in the similar harmonised vocals as the opening number.

I Dot Heart is a more airy number. Keyboards, although subtle at times, are brilliantly used as the central melodic backbone. There is also a series of quirky little sound effects on this track which you appreciate more and more on further listens.

S.S Slapper is an insanely energetic number that is strangely reminiscent of 80's computer games - without all the nerdery. It's fast paced and colourful but doesn't sound at all like that childish overly-happy hyper-coloured-stupid-fluro-whooo bullshit music that seems to be going around. It's the celebration track of the EP and although at time reminds me a little too much of Architecture In Helsinki it is a fantastic explosive spurt of joy that adds some nice diversity to the release.

The closing number Laptop Dancing takes the ideas from the rest of the EP and melts them all into a fantastically awesome 7 minute opus. Each verse builds with occasional harmonies before rumbling into a chorus powered beautifully by deep guitars and more 'classic' pop vocals. A large instrumental piece complete with delayed melodic sounds and fuzzy feedback planted in the middle of the track nicely throws the listener off course before slowing bringing them back to the action with keyboards and another rising action. Blissful stuff.

I pretty much don't have a bad word to say about this 5 track storm of radness. It's as close to flawless-ism as you are going to get from a local band who are incredibly talented and putting together original and interesting music. Listening to this EP is the clearly the best way to spend 25 minutes of your day.