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You am I
Convict
Yep Roc
You Am I frontman Tim Rogers is a songwriter of Ray Davies-like finesse, but on his band’s new long player Convicts—their first since 2002’s fabulous Deliverance—that finesse is nowhere to be found. Instead, Rogers eschews his penchant to expertly turn phrases and tell stories—a skill that has made him one of Australia’s best songwriters and helped his band nab seven ARIA awards—in favor of ballsy hard rock that’s all muscle and brawn. So this is You Am I’s hard rock record and although no one would ever accuse them of being soft in the past, they really turn it up here. “Thank God I’ve Hit The Bottom” is as ferocious of an album opener as The Pixies’ “Debaser”; “It Ain't Funny How We Don’t Talk Anymore” is pure bluesy howl and “Friends Like You” is a punchy and smoldering rave-up. Nothing wrong on the face of it, but the fact of the matter is that Rogers, who possesses a Weller-like intensity and a distinct Westerbergian howl, has managed to check in with an album that seems almost devoid of his irresistible charm. There are flashes, however: “Nervous Kid” is a blistering, instant classic and the cheeky “Explaining Cricket” recalls Rogers’ more recent rootsy work with his band Temperance Union. Even though tracks like “Gunslingers” or the nasty burn of “Thuggery” don’t lack drive, they drown out Rogers’ craftsmanship. Sure good to have these guys back, but it’s hard not to think it could have been so much better.
—Alex Green
(From Amplifier)
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