Melbourne quintet the Sand Pebbles used to sound something like My Bloody Valentine and Jesus and Mary Chain, though with better songs.
That is, like those British bands, they plied overdriven guitars and slow-burn melodies done with the requisite Velvet Underground blend of harsh and pretty. Their second album, Ghost Transmissions, was a highlight of 2004.
On album number three, they explore a wider and more rewarding path, taking psychedelia, New York art-rock (Sonic Youth's low-riding bass, circular chords and droll vocals), garage rock (organ filling out the guitar wall) and then the bonus of proper singing of actual tunes.
The Water Too Warm is terse drama, A Thousand Flowers lies in a deep groove, Howard's End is almost an urban surf song, Drop City is unashamedly good pop and on Natalie they pull off a muscular New Order. This band just keeps getting better.
- Bernard Zuel