Former Radio Birdman frontman Rob Younger's The New Christs release new album 'Gloria' five years after their last release and twenty five years after forming to support Iggy Pop when he toured Australia.

 
'Try Something' kicks off the album with an edgy drum beat and riff which twitch towards the chorus. A decent opener, and a production that is suitably lo-fi. You can understand when you know these boys are influenced by Iggy Pop - you can feel his spirit in the tracks. 'My Existence' is up next and fires off at a decent pace and sort of sets the pace and tone for the rest of the album. There is a retro feel here that champions indie bands when the term meant some decent bands, not some of the utter tosh slopping 'round these days being championed by NME. 

Maybe eleven tracks all of a similar pace is a bit much in one sitting, but give me bands like The New Christs with their honesty and musical integrity over a lot of today's upstarts. I feel that what this album is missing is a bit of variety in the eleven songs on offer. With some great noises coming from the guitars that I fell chould have maybe been built on more. Penultimate track 'On Your Knees' is my stand out track but, again, plays on a variation of a song Iggy wrote years ago. Album closer 'Bonsoir A Vous' is also a decent racket and then I sterted thinking that maybe this album is in fact upside down as these two tracks would have been better at the start and reeled the listener in.

As it is, this is a fine album of garage guitar rock from Down Under.

www.myspace.com/theofficialnewchrists