The Brels
Parasites, Poptarts
Mixmasters


The members of The Brels have quite a history in the local scene - half of the band, Gus and Gene Lashchuk, played in Krystapinzich along with their brother Stef, and made something of an impact in the late '90s. Now, after drifting apart to different cities, Gus and Gene are back, and have recruited Lachlan Wilson and Tom Smeets to form their latest venture. And while 'Parasites, Poptarts' is far from anachronistic, there is an element of the past in there: The Brels are pure power pop, in a way that just isn't heard all that much these days.

It doesn't exactly start smoothly, however. Opener The Man Who Wouldn't Join A Conga Line's intro is disjointed, and the minute that it takes to actually get into the song proper is pushing it. It's worth it once it does - sailing through Morning After Girls styled jangling guitars and softly sung vocals - but it's the second track that really sets the proceedings on the right path. Rome is a short burst of pounding, energetic, heartfelt pop with some astonishing guitar soloing. The following heavier tones of Shares and the drifting countermelodies of Golden Boy push the album further forward, and any misgivings are more or less forgotten.

From there, Disappointed Now is classic indie pop, with some great harmonies - a facet of the band that is also displayed to great effect in The Mary Protocol. The album is thrown out a little by Jimmy Jack Jones (The Ballad Of Steve Couper), which is too meandering for its place on the record, but draws to a close wonderfully with Salt Damp Removal, a stunningly beautiful and atmospheric show of talent.

Perhaps because it uses material sourced from over a long period of time, 'Parasites, Poptarts' doesn't always have a sense of coherency. However, when it does come together, The Brels show themselves to be making music that deserves serious attention.

Alistair Wallis