CLOCKWORK REVENGE

I'll half-claim this for Australia, since they moved here seeking, if not fame and fortune, at least a somewhat more hospitable environment for their music than they could enjoy in New Zealand, and recorded their entire discography (ie this album) while over here. And it's one of the best albums to come out of the local scene - easily the best of the small handful of local releases in the symphonic subgenre. Yes, I can also hear the very strong influence of early 70s Genesis (though with far more prominent guitars, and somewhat lower profile keyboards), on which basis other reviewers chide them for a lack of originality. Well, even if one does take strong cues from another established band, writing an effective nine-minute symphonic mini-epic is still a very different proposition from writing an effective three-minute three-chord garage rocker - an undeniably high level of musicianship and imagination is still required. The bottom line is every song on this album is an excellent composition, whoever wrote them and however strong their influences. Hey, it's better than the album the real Genesis put out that year! The opening title track stands out for it's uber-theatricality and hyperactivity - it's disconcerting on first listen, but an effective introduction that immediately marks out the band for their skill and ambition. Following up with the initially more pastoral "Pictures In A Puddle" is a good choice.