Underlapper

Sydney’s Underlapper is a six-piece comprised of men dressed for a family picnic, wielding polished instruments with calm, amiable demeanours. Their music reflects their manner: it’s unassuming, and evidently harbours some concern for not being too pretentious. The band appears to embrace an anything-goes pastiche approach – a mixed bag of references that only occasionally translates into truly inspiring music.

Underlapper is at their best when they rein in their inclination towards ornate, technically proficient, instrumental rock. Coincidentally, the two rousing moments during tonight’s set occurred when android rhythms and bar hugging melodies were replaced by sparkling alien textures, coloured by a saxophone accompaniment. A brand new composition showed some promise as well: vocals were applied to emotional rather than textural effect, and there was a distinct sense of song. In these instances, Underlapper transcended the established stylistic framework they normally play within. These were brief signs of a potential, exciting individuality.

At their worst though, Underlapper are so caught in their reliance on technique and methodology that the line between what feels good for them and what sounds dull to us perilously tethers. Their proficiency coupled with their apparent desire to try their hands at everything is impressive, but in places also remarkably soulless.

by Shaun Prescott