Album Review: Sticky Fingers - Caress Your Soul

For a band to survive on the touring circuit these days, they need to make sure that their music is easy to dance to. Luckily, the Fingers have that down with their reggae and dub grooves, which are the essence of their appeal. Add to that a serious rock attitude and the band is a power to be reckoned with. Their debut album is incredibly well put together, which is perhaps surprising, considering the personalities and craziness surrounding the band.

The singles, Caress Your Soul and Clouds And Cream, are enticing enough and a perfect introduction to the album. How To Fly is a radio favourite and one of the record's best moments, with Dylan Frost honing in on some great lyrics and phrasing. The band's Newtown indie background gets a look in on Australia Street and they touch upon partying and local trivia without clubbing the listener over the head with how cool they all are.

Sticky Fingers are a band's band and fortunately none of them are overplaying or trying to hog the limelight. On the beautifully produced Freddy Crabs, the playing is subtle and reflects a band who knows how to play to their weaknesses. Included in the album artwork is a great letter of complaint that the band received from another act, and it sums up their reckless yet pure rock'n'roll attitude. As long as they don't implode, Sticky Fingers could well become the best up and coming local band on the scene.