Children Collide
Big Day Out, Melbourne

Children Collide were borderline great during their late afternoon set and it didn’t really matter. It’s over a year since the Glass Mountain Liars EP came out and subsequently they’ve seemingly supported every Australian tour going without getting around to releasing a debut album. At this rate even Witch Hats will beat them to it. They’re spinning their wheels and despite the waves of close encounters guitar noise frontman Johnny Mackay coaxed out of his instrument, there’s a feeling that they’re making time on a smaller stage when Mackay’s eclectic ear and bassist Heath Crawley’s drive should have propelled them into the sunlight of an outdoor slot. At least the new drummer has settled in and is proving a durable asset with his withering assault on the kit.

Part of the pleasure engendered by the trio is that they’re a pop band with a sweeping outlook. The likes of ‘Cannibal’ are catchy as all get out, but it never limits itself. Mackay’s ear obviously jumps into unexpected territory – you might hear flamenco guitar and psychedelic pop eight miles high in the same song – and if the group broke through half the pleasure would be in watching him double back on himself and freak out the converts. As it is maybe they should go straight for the visionary and put the chart aspirations aside. Time is running out.

by Craig Mathieson