Odyssey Number Five
The million-dollar question would seem to be whether Powderfinger took its moniker from theNeil Young and Crazy Horsesong onRust Never Sleeps. The distorted guitar chord that kicks off "Waiting for the Sun" and opensOdyssey Number Five--the fourth album and first American release by this Brisbane, Australia, quintet--would indicate that these guys have at least heard the Young classic. They'renotNeil Young and Crazy Horse at their best--but that doesn't stop Powderfinger from being contenders in the upstart-guitar-rockers sweepstakes. Lead singer Bernard Fanning brings a postmodern pop sheen to the proceedings, and the band is all over the musical map on this eclectic effort, from the beautiful and melodic melancholia of "The Metre" and "Thrilloilogy" to the buzz sawCream-like riff that dominates "Like a Dog." While it may occasionally drift a little too close to what used to be considered mainstream alternative to put it in the same league as theLiving End's terrific, contemporaneousRoll On, one can detect a groovy little rock renaissance occurring Down Under.--Bill Holdship