There is, perhaps, a little bit of drama missing from Australian music. A generalisation certainly (to pre-empt the “Not everyone, what about...” brigade), but one cannot deny that the fear of being deemed a wanker is both deep and determined in this country. It's a shame – pop music should be dramatic, and grandiose, and exciting. I blame Nirvana.

Sydney’s where's Jerome (lower case “w” intended) fill this void. Their self-titled debut album mixes pop sensibilites, expert composition and talented musicianship with just enough drama to be exciting without even coming close to gimmickry. It’s an album of varied emotions and heightened artistic embellishments of the everyday – from the edgy opening track 'Sneakers', with the repeated line, “I don't go outside/I'm too scared of Tupac”, sung in powerful harmony by Jeremy Smith and Alexandra Sabastian, to the beautiful piano lines and angelic vocal backing of the moving 'Pineapple People'.

First single ‘My Hiroshima’ has the power to break your nose and those of all around you – try not to flail with abandon upon hearing it – as Todd Cetin's tight drums kick around under fast and fuzzy guitar lines and sharp keys. Live favourite ‘I Never Lose’ transitions between an ominous, pantomimic slink and an electrified pop chorus, while the furious ‘Love Transfusion’ (complete with trills from a yazz flute!) is a full-on, roaring rock tune, again driven by the wonderful harmonies of Smith and Sebastian. The pair scream the wickedly lewd, “I'm the priest in the church of your leisure”, before the song ends with a gorgeous and unexpected flourishing piano solo.

This is a band that seems able to elevate the rather simple structure of pop songwriting to an art – and this album is a Kandinsky.

by A.H. Cayley