8. Architecture In Helsinki- In Case We Die


The Australian champions of miniature pop have returned with their second album! Losing nothing of their innocent charm of Fingers Crossed, this follow-up is slightly more grown-up. It's well represented in the cover- the childish design with the big red beating heart in the middle.
Eight people playing anything from glockenspiel, tuba, violin to guitar, all sorts of percussion and keyboards, that alone indicates a playschool-like variety in musical thoughts and possibilities. And that is correct- the opening oompa-fanfare of Nevereverdid is the ouverture to minimalist pop. Elsewhere there's more sweet melodies wrapped in 80s-wave (Do The Whirlwind, Maybe You Can Owe Me), vaudeville-like music (Frenchy I'm Faking), sunny sixties pop (The Cemetery) and the more bombastic (if you can call it in this band's case) In Case We Die Pts 1-4. There's no danger of it all becoming too childish, sweet or lightweight. It's pure pop, friendly but seriously engaging. And it comes with a big beating heart, not only on the front but on the inside too.