Splurge: The Cure For The Cure

Splurge
The Cure for the Cure
Popboomerang
2007-07-21

Melbourne’s Splurge doesn’t splurge so much on big guitar riffs or over-the-top vocals. What they do overdose on is sophisticated pop melodies that have the listener’s attention from the onset. Whether it’s the gorgeous “When I Go to Sleep” with its Crowded House aura and lovable high harmonies or the moodier “Crystalline” that has a bit more bark or bite to it, Splurge seem to hit the mark more often than not. Things reach a greater level of quality with “She’s Not the One” that brings classic Echo & The Bunnymen to mind. Lead singer Greg Williams and guitarist Neville Hill weave some magic again during the slow-building gem “Beautiful” which lives up to its title over the course of nearly five minutes. The first huge clunker though is the Smashmouth-lite “Get Up and Watch TV” that falls flat fast. Mixing a cross between the best of ‘90s Brit-pop with a decent batch of ‘80s stalwarts, Splurge once again shine on “Hey Children” and the equally pretty “Is That You” with its meandering, trippy, retro segments. There’s also a certain Lennon-feel on the closing title track which makes this album a winner.

RATING 7 / 10