The Lost Gospel
According To
Universal


This album has been talked up way too much to escape notice. I was drawn to this reputedly pop/rock/garage/schlock beast immediately; hoping to learn just what passes for a 'unique approach to an indefinable genre' these days. With such high praise, you sometimes wonder whether the pomp outweighs the actual substance and, in this case, I'm pretty pleased to report that The Lost Gospel have indeed delivered something worthy of all the attention.

It's hard to put my finger on how 'According To' has got me so hooked - on the whole, it's fun, infectious and even a little quirky, with the groovy bass-lines surely to blame for much of the appeal. While I'm not sure if it's quite as shocking and one-of-a-kind as Universal Music would have us think, there's also a lot to be said for the variety of songs and influences present.

Phil Jamieson, meanwhile, has proven he has a lot more to offer than the standard Grinspoon fare. This may be considered as a side project for the moment, but it surpasses most of his earlier works and displays a much more interesting and diverse approach to songwriting (though the rest of the band doubtless deserve plenty of credit). The overall sound is light and melodic, but I find myself most drawn to the slower, more heartfelt and pensive songs such as Baby, Baby, Baby, Baby and Undertow.

Limits and Secret Agent will probably see the most airplay; they're bouncy and rocking, with perfect sing-along lyrics and, dare I say, danceable beats. The final track, I Can See is based on a simple, undistorted guitar riff and Jamieson's rambling, self-mocking vocals. A chance mention of Dr Dre and a whistled outro finish it all off.

Expect this to be one of the albums of the coming summer.

Mike Cross