MUSIC REVIEWS

SPIDERBAIT
Grand Slam
(Quattro Label)

When Spiderbait went into a Sydney studio a year ago to begin work on their third major-label album, one wonders if they knew that they were about to create the perfect album. But what is the perfect album? Is there such a thing? If there is then "Grand Slam" is one. Not a track on this 17-song collection sounds like filler. Though released in the band's native Australia on Polydor (now Universal) in April, the Quattro Label have released the album in Japan.

Prior to getting picked up by a major label, Spiderbait were an indie punk-funk act with an album and two EPs to their credit. But the band has come a long way since its early do-it-yourself punk days. "Grand Slam" effortlessly traverses genres and tempo from one song to the next and never misses. The album plays on a variety of styles. From the sugar-coated melodies of "Glokenpop" to the glammy power-pop of "Shazam," this collection moves into high gear, slowing down later with the folksy "By the Time I Get to Howlong." Along the way, the band taps into samplers and sequencers, used to full effect on the trip-hop-flavored "Cracker" and the loopy techno digression of "Buster."

Despite the range of musical styles on the album, it's Janet English's vocals and their cutesy "little-girl" quality that provides much of the record's melodic hooks. Imagine if mouthless Hello Kitty could sing: she might sound like English. But sounds can be deceiving, and behind English's sweet harmonies are venomous, sarcastic lyrics. Its the big sound of guitarist Whitt's hyper-fuzzy guitar chords against her high-pitched, sugary vocals, however, that give the album it's signature sound.

"Grand Slam" also shows Spiderbait digging deeper into its electronic psyche than on the album's predecessor, "Ivy and the Big Apples." Prior to entering the studio to record "Grand Slam," Whitt delved further into the technology that would give "Grand Slam" its electronic flavor.

It's a pity that few outside of Australia, New Zealand and Japan will get a chance to hear Spiderbait. But there's still time to work on that, for Spiderbait are a band built to last beyond 2000, and "Grand Slam" is their finest hour to date. - IVAN CORSA <

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