:: Lazy Susan - Never Better

Lazy Susan

It’s a simple matter of maturity and experience in songwriting that sees the improved showing by Lazy Susan in this long-awaited follow-up to their 2001 debut album. The Sydney four-piece band had always been liked and respected with a pouring of smooth pop sounds. But, with “Never Better”, they show their growth in a feisty guitar-based sound and nifty additional sounds like brass and strings elements. Such development is highlighted on the tracks “Misunderstood” and the title track. Lead singer Paul Andrews has always shown a subtle mood in his vocals and the attractive pop is still evident while balanced with some stripped back and rock moments. “I Will” and “Sometimes” demonstrate these effects. All this points to the fact that, despite the lack of a standout song, the quality is more even and the set builds upon the zealous, carefree attitude the band adopted previously into something more controlled but very effective and moody. Lazy Susan produces some of the best Australian pop-rock music around, but they remain sadly underrated.