Tame Impala
‘Innerspeaker’
(Modular)

Australia has a pretty proud tradition of hairy-chested, raucously-riffed rock. Wolfmother tried – and
nearly succeeded – in turning their Dad’s AC/DC record collection on its head with their neo-psychedelic debut in 2005 and that’s about where Tame Impala pick up the mantle. ‘Innerspeak’ certainly doesn’t lack in the axe-wielding department, but it does fall short in carving out insightful hooks of any sort; while the musicianship is excellent, there isn’t nearly enough to keep ‘Innerspeaker’ from plodding along, with plenty of good ideas, but lacking the execution to rise above very colourful mediocrity. There’s certainly potential, and Tame Impala shouldn’t simplify their sound, but in a maze of riffs, the ability to construct memorable melodies has been completely lost. Maybe they should pay more attention to their influences.

Euan Davidson