Review - Odyssey Number Five

Australian chart-toppers Powderfinger come ashore with "Odyssey Number Five," an engaging pop-rocker with a heavy emphasis on the rock. There's a bit of Brit-pop swirling around these sing-songy choruses and rollicking riffs, which are catchy without relying on overt Beatlesesque puffery or grandiose stadium sentiment (like the brothers Gallagher).

Disc opener "Waiting for the Sun" builds slowly before giving into the underlying punch-groove. "My Happiness" offers a good-time strum, while "The Metre" swirls with strings and a hauntingly beautiful Seven Nations-like refrain. Even the surefooted power-broker "We Should Be Together Now" comes across as genuine, despite its familiarity. Without really trying too hard, the five-piece has come through with a collection of radio-ready gems that put most FM pretenders to shame.