The transition of Perth trio Eskimo Joe from a throwaway novelty act (early single 'Sweater' being a good example) to the sophisticated pop displayed on their debut album 'Girl' was akin to a kindergarten student skipping primary school and going directly for a secondary education. The effort was no doubt surprising but all eyes would be on the lads to see if it was a fluke or not.

A few years later and with a wealth of experience under their belts, both personally and professionally, Eskimo Joe release a near flawless pop album in 'A Song Is A City'. Breakdowns in their relationships with girlfriends as well as their record label (a switch after just one album from EMI to Festival Mushroom) helped fuel the songwriting fire, something that ultimately gives the record a darker feel to it than it's predecessor.

Quite wisely though, the album's recurring themes of dreaming and sleeping ensure that most of the songs are vague enough not to prompt ex-partners speaking out in the music press or worse, retaliation singles a la Eamon's former lover.

Opening salvo 'Come Down' mixes the well-worn Lennon/McCartney template of Britpop balladry with the epic grandeur of say Coldplay. The crashing finale to the song tumbles straight into first single 'From The Sea' like waking up suddenly from a bad dream. The next few tracks are more straightforward radio pop like 'Life Is Better With You' (with its choir-like chorus reminiscent of such 70s luminaries as 10CC and E.L.O.), and the tight, 2 = minute 'Older Than You'.

Lead singer Kav Temperley's interesting vocal style is what makes Eskimo Joe stand out from everyone else on the airwaves. His throaty delivery can often break into a falsetto similar to the brothers Gibb. Forthcoming single 'Smoke' blends the two styles quite nicely.

The rare times that Eskimo Joe fall flat on the album are thankfully only on the interludes. 'Carousel' is just Temperley's singing clipped in post-production with music box backing while 'I'm So Tired' is technically a full song but comes across as a Radiohead/Nine Inch Nails mash-up, therefore alienating itself from the rest of the record. 'Car Crash' fittingly ends the set with its mournful lyrics almost coming across as an antithesis to The Smith's 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out': "I don't wanna die in a car crash with you tonight."

All up the album has more than enough quality songs to appeal to audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Australia of late has been churning out garage rock bands like they were $20 notes from an ATM. Now, finally a pop act has arrived with the calibre of a Crowded House (Another Aussie band whose second album was the dark jewel in their catalogue) to get the lads and lasses in the Northern Hemisphere interested. Distribution rights notwithstanding of course.