Australian Power Pop: Melbourne Divide’s The Wellingtons & Michael Carpenter

If you’re a regular reader, you know this blog loves Australian power pop. One might say that at Power Pop News, Dom Mariani (DM3), Dave Faulkner and The Chevelles are held in the same reverence as the Holy Trinity. So, when we got word of a new compilation entitled The Melbourne Divide featuring fan favorites The Wellingtons, Danny McDonald and Michael Carpenter, we had to check it out. The disc, on PopBoomerang Records, acts as a label showcase for this year’s Leaps and Bounds Music Festival.

The new Wellingtons release has a street date some time in August, I believe, and we get our first glimpse of it with the previously unreleased “The End of the Summer”. It’s pleasant harmonies and back and forth lead vocals make it a real winner.

And while there are other excellent tracks by Bryan Estepa, Danny McDonald and Adrian Whitehead, the best track on the disc goes to Michael Carpenter who’s “I’ve Been Lovin’ You” has a positively infectious melody. And we’re suckers for the na-na-na’s spinkled liberally throughout.

As if that weren’t enough, it’s only $5 Australian (about $3.50 US).

Speaking of Carpenter, his LP containing same is part alt-country, part Australian power pop and all good. “I Should Have Told You” “Big In The City” and “When You Get Here” have the requisite twang to tickle those with country music sensibilities. “Winners and Losers” slows the tempo down a bit but is equally engaging.

Although there are no throw away tracks, a few stand out. “Big In The City” is as catchy as any song you’ll hear this year (with the possible exception of “Ain’t Nothin’ Left to Say”). Michael Carpenter’s new one is not only one of the best Australian power pop records this year, it’s one of the best power pop records this year period. Get Michael Carpenter & The Cuban Heels’ new one HERE.