Theirs is a seemingly laid-back but charged up groove from Down Under. They don't big-note themselves but the kind of tunes they have crafted together are ones they can play hundreds of times and still have smiles on their faces afterwards.

It is the right, privilege and long-sought after reward for artists to not only enjoy what they have created but, if they're lucky, do so simultaneously with a mob that appreciates it as much if not more. That is why bands love playing live.

Tantalum are a rockin' hardworking fivesome of Sheilas from Melbourne. Kristel Blackman (lead axe) formed the band in 2002, her sister Melissa joined on rhythmic axe. The current line-up is augmented by Sally Chatfield on lead vocals, Renee Morgan on drums and Cassie McCawley on bass.

With Ms.Chatfield's powerful pipes Tantalum has a sound that is pure, suger-sweet rock 'n' roll and a particularly good example is their tune 'Monster' which is an immaculately constructed song. I can only imagine how many times in boomerang-wielding combat with bandicoots and dingos must have inspired the lyrical journey that tune takes the listener on.

Asked in an interview when an album and world tour are in the offing Melissa gets straight to the point about their obstacles. "A) we require funds. B) we require MORE funds!" Hopefully they'll get that sorted out. I'd love for them to cross a world, get here and see what Canadians think of their music but that is just daring to dream. I can totally see a contingent of gobsmacked local fans ready to barrack them at Toronto's venerable clubs and thats the bloody oath.

Racking off back of Bourke is nothing new to these tunesmiths. They are not bludgers and hit the road each time flat out like lizards drinking. My guess would be that they value their sound and the time and work they have put in too much to sell themselves short. As I lurk and mull it over I can't say that about every band as much as I'd like to.

If their sound was anything less than ace I'd bog in (ocker journo and humble dag that I am) and whinge with excrutiating detail yabbering on with every conceivable reason why. But I like their sound and I like them. These ladies, active on Melbourne rock scene and beyond, are more than worth listening to. They're worth writing about.

http://www.myspace.com/tantalum

http://www.youtube.com/user/TantalumRocks