Back before the 'M' stood for McCarthy, you always knew that Dire Straits were full of it when they donned their 'We don't mean nothing by it' faces when the media pressed them for a bit of elaboration on their 'I want my MTV' anthem. Which was probably pretty smart manoeuvering when you consider how much bank Mark Knopfler stood to lose. But only two tracks deep into their latest disc, chief Guru Dave Faulkner lets loose the cry 'MTV, go down on me!' Which, to the Australian four piece is probably the only justified response to the way that they've been largely ignored by the industries most fetid cog. But ever since Blow Your Cool's Brady-esque vid for "What's My Scene," pop puritans were being handed a second notice in case they had missed out on the righteous Mars Needs Guitars. Whether they're on about being sugar sweet or decidedly garage at any given moment, both faces of the band have always regarded one another with only the most profound mutual admiration.
That's what remains interesting about Blue Cave - from the get-go the guitars are gritty, and the lyrics unapologetic, cathartic, and pissed. But undercurrents like the Pepper-esque violin tunings on the album's front end ("Big Deal"), tend to somewhat belie the rough trade vibe on top. Faulkner's voice, even when it harshly hovers at a near shout, still doesn't have the grind of the chords being muscled out behind him. After three tracks of the embittered, guitar wrenching stuff, the glimpses of Dave's more congenial visage poke through. Songs like "Waking Up Tired" and "If Only..." may not tread upon any fresh lyrical sod, but it exposes the more dulcet, spot on pop side of the Hoodoos that reminds you that radio is largely programmed by idiots or advertisers, or both. Even "Mind The Spider," the Guru's probably tongue-in-chique stab at those art-glam, J. Tull-ish monstrosities of eras best forgotten is thoroughly well executed fun - twin guitar licks and all. Spinal Tap, you have been warned.
While sound pop flavourings continue to be ignored by the masses and those who push their well researched buttons, the Hoodoos may also not see any nods of recognition in the near term. But should they refrain long enough from their Friends-fests and time spent marveling at the tired stamina of whatever reunion tour may be fast approaching their area, maybe guys like the Gurus could help initiate another one of those golden pop eras. Nah.
