Album Review: The Ramalamas - East Coast Low

You don't have to dig deep on The Ramalamas' third album to uncover traces of Neil Young, The Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones and Small Faces.

Yet the Sydney five-piece sounds surprisingly fresh for what is essentially a throwback band. Opening track Can't Put You Down sets the pace with its guitar and piano-driven pop-rock, en route to a joyfully rickety ride down the highways of Americana. The bluegrass stomp of Shank's Pony evolves into a proggy cacophony; Hottest Place In Hell has a tinge of dark gospel; and Lucky's bass groove, horns and offbeat tambourine bring a dash of soul. This is music for hot nights and hard liquor - drink up.