:: Something With Numbers - Perfect Distraction

Something With Numbers

Any Australian act that generates some success with their debut outing will more often than not find that making a follow up album has its own pitfalls, most notably fulfilling the need to project a sense of maturity, all the while attempting to keep those followers who identified with the band in the first place. Central Coast (New South Wales) based emo/alternative rock outfit Something With Numbers faced that very challenge while making their sophomore effort, but with ‘Perfect Distraction’ (the follow up to 2004’s ‘Etiquette’), they’ve overcome the odds to find that happy medium that satisfies both long time fans, and those who have yet to be converted. ‘Spent’ is a solid introduction to the album, but hardly one of the album’s stronger cuts with its overly repetitive chorus and lack of genuine angst and aggression, but all is forgiven however with the album’s first single ‘Apple Of The Eye (Lay Me Down)’. Beginning once again (Like ‘Spent’) with a gentle start, ‘Apple Of The Eye (Lay Me Down)’ comes to life through the chorus with a distinctly rocking backbeat from drummer Dave McBeath, with Jake Griegg’s vocal melodies only adding to the songs appeal in their simplicity. The mid paced selections of ‘Chase The Chaser’, ‘Zombie’ and ‘Bang, Bang, Bang’ keep in line with the sound that was evident on their debut for the most part, while ‘Goodbye Mickey Finn’ and the melancholy ‘Bring Me Some Water’ show the band’s broadening musical vision with the use of strings enhancing the two track’s acoustic framework, making them both the most experimental numbers on ‘Perfect Distraction’. The energetic ‘Calf Love’ and ‘What Is This?’ are straight out rockers which are sure to become set staples in no time, while ‘Double Died’ and ‘Vanity’, although eventually reaching an all out rock climaxes, show a little more depth in their gradual build in moods towards their eventual destination. ‘Perfect Distraction’ is a worthy follow up to the hugely successful ‘Etiquette’, and an album that shows there’s more to Something With Numbers than what initially met the ears the first time around.