The fifth album from this Brisbane group, which is far more advanced in years lived than it is in its time as a group. It would be quite easy to listen to this and think "Gosh, they sound just as good as they did thirty-five years ago", and I imagine that would be true. It's just that the band's history extends merely into the previous decade.

The Valery Trails Winter Palace (Sunrise Recordings)

The energetic bash-and-pop hooks are freaking brilliant. The buzzsaw riffage and sinewy lead guitar lines sound very familiar, even if the Valery Trails aren't ripping off anyone. Befitting the nearly-past middle age members of the group, the songs themselves address youth from a distance ("Everything is temporary when you're young"). Perhaps the kids might find that perspective unsettling. Let's hope so.

Basically, I'm re-writing my review of the previous album, and there's a good reason for that. There's not a lot to separate this set from that excellent outing. The winning combo of Kiwi pop, Aussie punk and just enough of a Britpop sheen remains intact. These are songs that quickly worm their way in. Good luck with eradication.

Everything on this album is a bit "more". A few more modern sounds creep in, but the genial old-school alterna-rock sound remains effervescent. I generally don't write reviews like this, allowing my old views to speak for the band generally. But I hear growth from the Valery Trails, and I think there might be something utterly spectacular coming across the sea one of these day. For now, we'll have to content ourselves with an exceptional set of songs well played. I'm not complaining.

Jon Worley