The Fauves
Nervous Flashlights
Shock

The Fauves, thanks in a big part to lyrical cheekiness, are funny. More so, 'Nervous Flashlights' is a great sounding rock album - The Fauves are comfortable toeing the line between earnestness and piss-taking. Said plainly, the band deserves to have had much greater commercial success than what's come to them. 'Nervous Flashlights' says that they know as much, they don't care anymore and they're back to having fun again.

"I'll be myself tonight," is the final statement on Trouble, a sentiment that arguably is the motto of the album. Being 'themselves' means a variety of moods and thoughts, underpinned by the signature-catchy, melody-driven rock. With song-writing and singing duties shared between all the band members, it's hard to pick who's saying what. It doesn't matter, however, as the result is an ego-less, carefree, rock party that is rich with humour, multiple genre influences and personality.

True Love Waits is a hilarious tale of modesty and greater values, told with cool, slow and sexy so-out-of-date-that-it's-back-in-date' '80s rock. Mind you, the chorus is unmistakeably The Fauves' stamp. Andy Cox continues his satirical mumblings with the slacker-political I'll Work When I'm Dead, which will sit well for sunny summer days, lounging in a deck-chair with a tinny. Down All Day finds The Fauves having a downer but being philosophical enough not to mind too much.

'Nervous Flashlights' is a strong album, with a variety of flavours that are just delicious. With lyrics that you can decipher and beats you can stay in time with, this truly Australian pub-rock album will embrace any punter who'll stop and have a look. And God knows The Fauves are worth a look.

Steve Williams