Australian singer/songer Ian Powne is basically the Stress of Leisure (http://www.thestressofleisure.com) as this record has all the trademarks of a solo record and can't really be mistaken for a group effort.
Immediately Powne distinguishes himself from many of today's post-punk indie rockers by unveiling different late '70s-early '80s influences at least. "Jennifer Sharp" echoes the nervous quirkiness of Human Sexual Response although whether or not Powne is even familiar with them is unknown. On "The Rooster," Powne's clipped vocals recall both Ric Ocasek of the Cars and Television's Tom Verlaine. The result is actually more indie than New Wave but the ominous tension is still in evidence.
I am fascinated by these young musicians who are carrying the spirit of artists I grew up with. I'm sure that's how my elders felt they heard the Beatles in XTC and the Doors and Echo and the Bunnymen.
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"Calm It Down" is the catchiest track on here; its upbeat rhythms giving it the best possible single potential. "Good Vs Bad" and "I Had a Dream" should please fans of Lou Reed. In fact, "Apartment to Apartment" could be Reed fronting the Cars. The enigmatic "Yoko's Presents" combines the Killers' psycho charisma with the downbeat riffage of the Velvet Underground. I realized I've done a ton of name-dropping here but if you can get compared to the greats, you know you have something going.
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