Dan Kelly And The Alpha Males
Drowning In The Fountain Of Youth
In-Fidelity/Shock


I should begin this review by saying that I was quite a fan of Dan Kelly's first record, 'Dan Kelly And The Alpha Males Sing The Tabloid Blues', and I had been waiting for the follow-up with high hopes. It certainly did not disappoint. It may not hit you straight away, but after a few listens those infectious melodies and sweet harmonies become etched in your brain and you will find yourself singing and smiling along uncontrollably.

Opener, Safeway Holiday (Get Wise) slowly materialises into view, setting the tropical vibe, before slipping into Babysitters Of The World Unite, a nice little tune about a middle-aged relationship (with a slight tip of the hat to The Smiths) which cruises along nicely. The title track is most similar to the 'spaz-boogie' songs that dotted the first record, but the change of tact they've taken on this record is out of the ordinary and refreshing because of it.

As the title implies, it's a concept album of sorts, based around Kelly's dislike of our culture's obsession with youth and there are a whole bunch of eccentric characters to be found in these songs. There's the wannabe insurance fraudster at the centre of Fire And Theft (The Landscape Gardener's Dream), the eternal loser in Russian Mail Order Bride, the disillusioned voter in Drunk On Election Night and the resigned romantic found amongst the great harmonies in the simply brilliant I Will Release Myself (Unto You).

Once again Kelly proves himself a highly-skilled wordsmith, throwing occasional pieces of Australian cultural references throughout his wordplay (without the corniness). This is a record full of fun, happy, intelligent pop tunes and it will probably make you wish it was summer all year round. To paraphrase the advice of another (unrelated) CD review I read some time ago, this is definitely worth your investigation.

Simon Foster