The Beautiful Girls

Ziggurats

Die! Boredom Records

(The Beautiful Girls MySpace)

You can’t say The Beautiful Girls don’t try new things. Almost all the Aussie band’s releases have not necessarily been an evolution but more of sudden change in direction. Now I have always found this interesting, as I’m still not thoroughly convinced the band has ever mastered each approach before deciding to change with the wind.

So this brings us to Ziggurats, an album that is the band’s most musically spacious, ambitious and is heavily influenced by the Police. Maybe it was all the talk around their latest reunion? I am also positive new drummer Bruce Braybrooke is a significant factor, as heard on Royalty and the first single I Thought About You.

Long-time die-hard fans take heart, as it is not a complete ambush of new sounds. The Beautiful Girls of old can be faintly heard on the reggae influenced Spanish Town and the UB40 cover, Bring Me Your Cup.

The Beautiful Girl’s front man and song-writer, Matt McHugh, scores biggest here with the rockier and horn laden triumph that is the joyous In Love. The Australian release also came with a bonus disc which features the excellent acoustic song Wounds. Try to track it down as it’s a real shame it was not included on the album itself.

I have always believed it is a good idea when a band explores new musical territories, but I got to say it will be interesting to see the reaction of American audiences when the poppier Ziggurats is released here later this year. It has got more enjoyable for me with each listen, but I am still treading cautiously.

Reviewed by Pilipo