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Betchadupa: Aiming For Your Head

In their attempts to challenge the definition of pop for Joe Masses, betchadupa have delivered a rather different version of a follow-up album. Complete with time changes, digi-packaging, and an instrumental - not to mention the album structure, arrangements and some left-of-centre song titles - 'Aiming For Your Head', like most of the best albums, is a grower. In their music, and even the cover art, Betchadupa seem to have purposely shied away from trying to be instantly catchy, for which longevity is a good thing. However I'm perplexed at the treatment of stunning My Army Of Birds And Gulls, probably the album's most poignant moment, being used to lead off. Although this track doesn't get topped, there are some rather lovely moments. Diversions, where the narrator even namechecks himself, is close to perfect, and The Bats Of Darkwell Lane is extremely pretty. Breaking up the more delicate ditties are some big rock riffs, my fave being the stomping punk rock closer Running Out Of Time. I fear the album, released by Australian label Liberation Music, may prove too complex for the young pop audience, and possibly not out there enough for more educated listeners. However I hope punters from both groups embrace it, because there's certainly lots to embrace.

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