"There's big choruses aplenty, but it's the message that lingers."
The album title's straight from Joe Hockey but don't be put off for The Basics have crafted one of 2015's best Aussie releases. Setting aside Gotye, Wally de Backer again teams up with Kris Schroeder and Tim Heath to deliver an awesome slice of '60s pop rock.
Against the sunny melodies, though, this album seethes with anger at the state of Australian life and politics, as shown by rocking rev-ups like Ashleigh Wakes and Time Poor. Highlight Tunomba Saidia even adds African flavours while raging against offshore detention. There's big choruses aplenty, but it's the message that lingers.