You Am I

Though widely credited with having inspired the latest crop of rockers from Oz (Jet, Wolfmother, etc.), legendary Australian band You Am I have thus far been denied the worldwide acclaim and pots of cash money bestowed upon their protégés. Convicts, the group’s seventh studio album, although not about to change their commercial status in this hemisphere is, however, another kick-arse collection of rock’n’roll songs to add to their already impressive catalogue. Led as always by waggish front-man, wordsmith and guitar-slinger Tim Rogers, You Am I’s specialty remains catchy two-and-a-half-minute garage pop numbers par excellence (see "Friends Like You” and "A Nervous Kid”), with handclaps, explosive drums and memorable riffs always on the menu. Elsewhere, punk-y throat ripper "Thank God I’ve Hit The Bottom” and the snarl and toe-tap of "Thuggery” reveal the band’s darker side, though wistful acoustic/electric rockers "Explaining Cricket” and "Secrets” prove these four gents still know their way around a pretty melody. This isn’t likely to sell in the millions, unfortunately, but it damn well should.