Album Review: The Snowdroppers - Moving Out Of Eden

Moving Out Of Eden marks a distinct change of direction for Australian blues rockers The Snowdroppers. This record boasts a much heavier focus on classic rock beats, vocals and overall themes, establishing the band's ability to use this formula perfectly. The record is also very distinctly Australian, giving it an old-school sound that is a refreshing new take on domestic music.

This raw local tone is established from the get-go in Excavating, which features simple, honest lyrics over straightforward guitar and drum lines. So Much Better displays the group's ability to inject some more complex, mature content into their genre and also features incredibly clear, sharp vocals that complement the verses nicely. White Dress, again proving their propensity for original content, delivers a very honest, raw account of modern-day romance. The highlight of the record, however, is title track. The song feels less formulaic than others on the record, with unique vocal tones and interesting lyrical content. It is consistent and steady, and slowly but surely it captivates the listener completely.

Sour Grapes and Another Lover, however, feel slightly messy and haphazard compared to foregoing tracks, although the latter does provide a welcome change in terms of instrumental composition and overall sound. Juliette, on the other hand, is strong and confident and again pairs strong, clear vocals with insightful lyricism. Unfortunately, final track, Plaster On A Smile, feels overly simplistic, perhaps not capable of leaving the lasting impression one would hope for in a closer. Overall, however, the record is incredibly accomplished and marks an important turning point for the Sydney quartet.