Album Review: Big Scary - Animal

Melbourne duo Big Scary must have left nothing in the tank after creating their third record Animal - it's a triumph from start to finish.

Frontman Tom Iansek's vocals are emotive and raw, while his partner in crime, Joanna Syme, cuts through the fuzzy bass and melodic hooks with her impressive drumming. The scuzzy, rough introduction from opener Oxygen soon blends into the offbeat delight that is Organism. This album is filled with surprises and all of them are good. On Double Darkness Iansek appears to have borrowed a few moves from Jack White's playbook, punching out the verses with extra staccato. Savior Add Vice opens with a fuzzy guitar and bass loop, dropping away just in time for Iansek's haunting croon. The Endless Story offers momentary reprieve, slowing the tempo down to a steady groove with sporadic broken piano chords, clapping, whistling and a hint of saxophone before a big final chorus brings all the elements together. On Flutism Iansek practically spits out the words, and then moments later on Breathe Underwater he's all but whispering the soft melody.

Among some tough competition, early single The Opposite Of Us still shines brightly. With its shuffling beat, catchy piano hook and vocal harmonies, every single second is a delight to hear. Rounding out with the slow, building Over Matter and then the finale, Lamina, the record softly shuffles off into the history books, to become one of best contemporary indie records produced this side of the equator.