This has been a favourite of mine for a while. There's an anger through the album that I relate to. I'll admit the vocals are pretty rough at times but to me that's part of the charm and reminds me of my youth spent hanging out in dingy Melbourne pub venues. While someone who sings about drinking methylated spirits may have been piss drunk in the studio I suspect that it may be the thickness of the Australian accent that gives this impression. This itself is part of the appeal for me on some level as it makes a refreshing change from most of the Australian artists who take on an American accent whenever they get behind a mic. My favourite tracks are the more upbeat like Shark Fin Blues, Baby Squared and You Really Don't Care and while the album does tend to slow at the end the closing track does pick up a bit to leave you in a place a little less desolate. Overall I give it 4/5.
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