The World Provider

In a career that's been filled with left turns, the only surprising thing left for Malcolm Fraser's long-running project, the World Provider, to do was make a traditional rock record. Inspired by Dears frontman Murray Lightburn (who also produces), who saw them as "a closet garage-rock band," Fraser added a barrage of guitars to his usual synth-heavy indie rock tunes. Gone are the tinny keyboard sounds of the band's past, replaced by distorted guitars and the sound of a band finally taking themselves seriously. While some of their idiosyncratic charm is missing this time out, Fraser's sharp ear for hooks remains and this record should more than please power-pop aficionados or fans of kindred spirit Spookey Ruben. For the unconvinced, Fraser's musical instincts have never stood still for too long, so it's a safe bet the World Provider's next effort will offer something new yet again.