Grinspoon - Whatever, Whatever (2024)

[Alternative Rock]

In a year that has seen releases from many of the originators of the Australian alternative rock scene of the 1990s it is a welcome relief to see something from one of the bands on the heavier end of the spectrum, Grinspoon. They spent a few years in the 'are they still a thing?' void, but has surfaced alive and well - and certainly kicking. With around 30 years under their belt it would be acceptable if they wanted to experiment a little, but it turns out this album is mostly the opposite. The first track (post a short intro) '(ILYSM)' pounds out classic sounding Grinspoon, and even has a chorus with Jameson declaring 'I guess we're drunk as fuck', rewinding back two+ decades to the wild hey-day of Oz alternative music in the late 90s. The vintage sound doesn't end here, as 'Unknown Pretenders' blares out a riff reminiscent of anything ugly on the album Easy (1999). This is band that is throwing the baby out with the bath water, and ignoring the years they spent trying to get a charting album. New fans be damned - the old ones are the ones that made them after all. 'Nasty' continues the streak, and bounces with a groove that will get the whole pub on their feet. 'Pantomime' slows things down for a small mellow instrumental interlude, allowing the listener a chance to catch their breath before the guitar barrage starts again on 'Never Say Never'. Phil Jameson's voice is smooth throughout, and he saves the punch for the big choruses, which there are plenty of. 'Live Fast Die Young' is opposite of what could be expected based in its name, but it is the first time the album slows down a little - but it isn't a ballad in any sense. That comes a couple of songs later with the soft '4, 5 & 7'. It is nothing significant, but does break up the album nicely. The short interludes continue throughout the album with 'Trains' and 'A Minute' appearing awkwardly, but actually blending nicely. Some of the heavier tracks appear on the second half of the album, with 'The Only One' loud and proud, but possibly the most commercial song on the album. 'Can I Make You Feel?' on the other hand is two and half minutes of post-punk fury, with Pat Davern's guitar tone sounding like it is blaring from a Lismore garage on a suburban street. 'Underground (Hell On Wheels)' is pop song finish, and a nice ending - although it is one of the weakest songs on the album. Like many 'come back' albums, this has a bit of something from every period of the band, but it is certainly more akin to the earlier albums than the later ones - something that will hopefully continue if the band makes any further music.

Regurgitator - Tu-Plang... Kon-Uauk (1996)

[Alternative Rock]

Yet only another year after the band's previous E.P. New (1995), we get the long player that many of us didn't have to wait for. Once again, they push fans buttons with the first track, some will like, others not so and I'm probably on that side. But track 2 - 'Kung Foo Sing', is once again a classic from them. No idea what the hell a 'Kung Foo Sing' is, but who the fuck cares. One hate I do have is the re-recording of 'I Couldn't Do It'. The E.P. version was so much better and this is a low-light of the record. No time to reflect though before 'Miffy's Simplicity', a 1.30 minute burst of rock brings you back to life, quickly followed by 'Social Disaster', which again continues to bring that raw and unique edge that is Regurgitator. At this point they have hit their sweet spot and the next handful of songs display the essence of the band, which made this release a classic, even the Mexicana instrumental that is '348 Hz'. Love it!. Remaining stand-outs include 'F.S.O.' and 'Blubber Boy'. Having taken that next step to be able to put 14 songs together of quality as opposed to the 5 each from the E.P.'s, coupled with the radio and festival plays they were getting, the band looks to have a long history going into the future, although you never are to know where these will go next given their sporadic nature.