The Temper Trap, Conditions
Featured Album
Supremely assured, stadium-filling Big Pop from Melbourne
This Melbourne, Australia four-piece have their eyes on the prize: earlier this year they relocated to London, the better to have a "good crack" at the UK and European markets. They've gigged zealously all over the world for much of the year, from Austin's SXSW in spring to Japanese dates this summer and a run of European festival dates. And, most tellingly, they've created a debut album that shimmers and glows with stadium-filling potential.
Conditions is a supremely-assured, muscular, melodious and avowedly commercial Big Pop record. Guitar-rock that, like Arcade Fire, aims for something epic while also remaining transcendent. It's brimful with crisp, semi-acoustic balladry ("Soldier On") and arm-waving, jump-around anthems ("Fader," "Science Of Fear"), many sung in a stirring falsetto by Dougy Mandagi and all given an easy sonic swagger by producer Jim Abbiss (Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys, Massive Attack).
It's hard to pick a highlight in this sterling collection of songs, but "Down River" is a thing of special beauty. With its climactic cascade of strings and harmonies, it gives Chris Martin something to top next time round. "Sweet Disposition," too, is another icon-rattling triumph, recalling Joshua Tree-era U2. I don't know if these Aussies will ever rock a Stetson or French revolutionary uniforms with conviction, but they should perhaps start consulting arena-friendly rock'n'roll costumiers soon.
