A great start for The Radio Sun.

The Radio Sun is the latest band out of Andrew McNeice’s Melodic Rock Records stable, and I’ve a strong feeling, if the going remains good to firm, and they overcome the obligatory hurdles, then this Australian outfit could be riding a winner. Evolving from the glowing embers of Power Pop’s Square One, the band consists of Jason Old (lead vocals), Steve Janevski (guitars), Ben Wignall (drums) and new recruit Robbie Erdmanis (bass). They have produced a solid debut here (there are personal gripes, but more of those later) and, as their name intimates, ‘Wrong Things Right’ is undeniably a radio friendly, Summer-sounding Melodic Rock album from start to finish. With Paul Laine on mixing duty you might well immediately think of Danger Danger, and you wouldn’t be a million miles away.

I’m not quite sure about the title track opening the album; it’s not that it’s a bad song, not at all, it actually sums up the band’s sound and direction rather well, but it does lack a certain oomph. That is soon rectified with ‘Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover‘ and ‘World’s Crazy Now’; both are great examples of uplifting, driving Melodic Rock with simple riffing, great choruses and lavish backing vocals – these vocals are a constant throughout the album and a definite highlight. Old’s vocals deliver the songs in distinctive fashion, and they immediately reminded me of Matt Mitchell’s (Pride) vocal style; however, to these ears Old sounds far better suited to the more upbeat songs as opposed to the measured ones.

By the way, there are no ballads on ‘Wrong...’! For me though, the star of the album is Janevski; he repeatedly delivers short, spasmodic injections of impressive guitar solos which clearly bear the stamp of his previous Power Pop affiliations and invoke fond memories of the Marvellous 3, Waltham et al. The commercial ‘Julie’, the edgy ‘Do It Again’ and the anthemic ‘Take A Look Around’ all allow Janevski to shine, whilst the rhythm section dutifully and competently carries the songs forward. There aren’t any fillers on ‘Wrong...’, so the home straight maintains the uplifting pace, with ‘Summer Girl’ and the final track ‘Beginning Or The End’ confirming just what a solid and enjoyable album this is.

So, a great start for The Radio Sun, who undoubtedly have the experience, talent and certainly the potential to stay the course. But personally (and hearing how proficient other band members are in the vocal department) I’d like to maybe see the lead vocal duties shared on the all-important sophomore album, thus giving the band something a little different from their contemporaries. Oh and please guys ... ease off on the clichés!

Dave Crompton