Ballarat, Victoria natives Epicure have certainly blossomed over the few years since their debut album 'Fold' back in 2000. From sporadic airplay on alternative youth stations to supporting U.S. band Live last year, Epicure are ready to take the next step in gaining national recognition with their second long player, 'The Goodbye Girl'. A few line up changes aside (Vocalist Juan Alban remains along with the engine room of bassist Tim Bignell and drummer Dom Santamaria), the group picks up where their melodic between-album E.P. 'Elevator' from 2001 left off.

Upon first listen, opener and title track 'Goodbye Girl' sounds like a bizarre choice for a lead in. Initially you would think it would make more sense to end the album with it. A bittersweet piano ballad from the viewpoint of a vengeful suicide bomber to his departed wife, 'Goodbye Girl' sets the theme of heartbreak and loss for the rest of the album. After a few spins, you'll agree the record couldn't have started any other way.

This leads into first single 'Armies Against Me' a song that was released more than a year ago now. Now usually this sort of tactic means a band running out of ideas. However for a band trying to break it in the mainstream, the track, along with last year's follow up 'Life Sentence' help bring a sense of familiarity to the album. Current single 'Firing Squad' completes a trilogy of great radio songs, something that former-touring partners Live obviously saw in the group.

The album's most lively moment 'So Broken' sees the protagonist on a self-destructive path, choosing to ignore the help of his friends. With its underlying waltz-like melody and Alban's vivid descriptions of embracing death, it brings forth comparisons to the 'rockier' parts on R.E.M.'s masterpiece 'Automatic For The People'. Quietly slotting in where 'Ignoreland' would otherwise be.

The second half of 'The Goodbye Girl' is dominated mainly by tender ballads ('Twelve Months Of Winter', 'Rainy Day') that are wisely broken up by the country-pop curio of 'Self Destruct In Five'. Admittedly it is not Epicure's best song in the set but serves its purpose by putting a smile on your face by the closing bars.

With their latest release, Epicure proves they have the ability to produce great songs for the radio as well as backing it up with a strong and consistent album. 'The Goodbye Girl' restores your faith in artists dismissing the short-term gain for the long-term goal.

*If you are interested in purchasing this album, I suggest you check out www.epicuretheband.com