“About Time”
The Trafalgars, hailing from Australia, dropped a couple of excellent EPs back in the early aughts that had a rough-around-the-edges charm characterizing the best of that period’s rock revival. Songs like “London Taxi” from Thank You Captain in 2004 and the title track from 2005’s Sit With Me / Sunnyside Drive snuck in catchy pop under their tough garage-band shell. Even the more unadulterated pop numbers like “Second Hand Shop Girl” suggested there was a heartfelt core veiled by that tough exterior.
Now, after nearly twenty years, The Trafalgars are back with their first full-length album, About Time, a natural leap forward from their earlier grittier affairs. They have polished the diamond in the rough with hooks a-plenty, revealing a gleaming core of melodicism that was always at the heart of their music, without giving up that edge that made it so engaging to begin with.
The album packs a punch with its ten carefully curated tunes, leaving no room for fluff. Standout songs like “Company Time,” “Start Again,” and “Get You Back Again,” resonate with the kind of infectious choruses that make them destined for airplay. Frontman Rhys Bowkett’s vocals are still as fresh and lively as ever, but now there’s a depth there that was only hinted at in their old garage rock days. Tracks like “She’s My Girl” show they’ve still got the chops to deliver the power along with the pop.
And it’s always cool when a band gives a shout-out to “handclaps” in the credits and throws in some glockenspiel for good measure!
About Time is a bold statement from a band that is ready to wear its heart on its sleeve. It’s an album that proves The Trafalgars are not just another garage band—this is power pop alchemy, turning the raw materials of their past into the gold of their future. And it’s about time everyone took notice. Highly recommended!
– Bijan Marashi, Pop Rocks Radio
About Time is available to stream and for purchase on Bandcamp, and will be released on CD/LP by Kool Kat Musik.