Album Review: Me - Even The Odd Ones Out

The hottest Big Day Out of all time may have rained on the majestic parade of ME last month, but those few who battled the elements to catch a glimpse of the Melbourne band will no doubt be eagerly awaiting their debut album.

Epic is the only way to describe their sound and the album, Even The Odd Ones Out, certainly measures up to all expectations. The opening track, Hoo Ha, provides a fair indication of what is to come. One of the highlights of the album, it sets the standard for their unique sound which sits somewhere between Queen and Led Zeppelin with a little Mars Volta on the side. It also leaves no doubt about the talent of Luke Ferris and his soaring vocals.

There is certainly a variety of sounds on the album from classic '70s rock in Like A Fox, the drama of radio favourite Westward Backwards, the theatrical grandeur of Working Life (which is over five minutes long) and the ambitious Your Favourite Colour with its own orchestral flavour.

These guys know no bounds in their experimentation and are certainly brave, as evidenced by a track like Choral which is a pure recording of exquisite choir vocals set to guitar. It is rare these days to find an Australian band showing a bit of bravery and stepping out of conventional genres to try something which is grandiose, majestic and genuinely original. Even The Odd Ones Out is sure to set ME apart and further build on the international buzz which is already growing around these delightfully eccentric rock opera stars.