SNOUT
New Pop Dialogue - Au-go-go

Review by Peter Blythe

HAVING a delay between albums can often be a double-edged sword - either interest can die down for a band, or it can increase anitcipation for the new rercord. Fortunately Snout, with their new album, The New Pop Dialogue, find themselves in the later, and with everything settled down within the band's ranks, they've managed to produce a fine little pop record. Indeed, if you put those special foot tappin' shoes away after listening to Even's Less Is More, your probably going to have to get them out again.

ALWAYS entertaining in the live format, Snout have managed the not always achieved task of capturing quite a deal of their live energy - although you'll still have to imagine Ross McClennan bouncing around with those power chords. Starting out with the stripped back Matter Boy, its not long before the right foot starts atappin' which is then followed by your entire body moving in all awkward directions. The catchy, The Beat Goes On, keeps the somewhat embarrassing bodily movements going, and Sno'flake has a pretty similar effect.

BUT to their credit, Snout are more than just a one dimensional good-times-to-be-had outfit, with tracks such as the funky bossanove rhythm and cruisey vocals of Fmaou People, and the laidback melodic pop of Remember To Die. And Snout get even further away from the tapping of feet with the slightly darker feel of L'il Pop Writer and the interesting brooding atmosphere of Unresolved, with its slight eastern influence, that closes out the record.

BUT of course it's energetic pop that Snout are best known for, and in the Triple-J-flogged, Cromagnonman, these guys have the ultimate catchy that I challenge you if you can get out of your head in under an hour I'll eat this disc!

UNFORTUNATELY, another thing that Snout have in common with the aforementioned Even, is that they've copped some flak about their music sounding a little to close to numerous bands from the 60, but what does it really matter? As long as it's not a blatant rip off, which this album is certainly not, why not just enjoy the music?

AND while it may not be a defining moment in rock 'n' roll, The New Pop Dialogue is certainly worth a lesson or three, although you may need some new shoe polish.

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