Operator Please
Yes Yes Vindictive
EMI


Although I'm not a Silverchair fan, you cannot deny that they have stamped their mark on Australian music and respect must go to them for all that they have achieved from their humble beginnings as a bunch of fresh-faced teens. So whenever other musical whiz kids come along that have the skills to release amazing music whilst still being in high school, comparisons to the 'Chair are inevitable. The quick word on Operator Please is that they have songwriting skills at least on par with Silverchair at their age, but now it just remains to be seen whether they can keep it up and how will they develop over time.

There is every chance you could be sick and tired of Just A Song About Ping Pong, but don't blame the band for excessive radio airplay. There are plenty of songs that contain melodies equally as catchy that one, but not everything proceeds at such breakneck speed or has such throw away lyrics. Two For My Seconds is the album highlight; beginning all sweet and slow, the song has several changes in pace and contains brilliant hooks that demonstrate impressive song writing quality. Amandah Wilkinson's strong and versatile vocals are always on show, but 6/8 showcases an especially sassy sound from her, as well as violins like they have never before been used in Australian pop music. The sweetness continues with the loveable Other Song but it's the high energy songs like Zero! Zero! that are embossed with their trademark sound.

Operator Please have released one of the most interesting indie pop albums of the year. 'Yes Yes Vindictive' is a consistent and compelling album that proves that these teenagers are far from merchants in novelty; they have all the right ingredients and they know how to pull it together perfectly.

Scott Berry