Great Sounds Great; Bad Sounds Bad: Opossom ‘Cola Elixir’

Every week, a panel of writers for The Corner will focus on a bunch of recently released local singles and grade them. We call it Great Sounds Great; Bad Sounds Bad. Read through the panelists thoughts below and let us know what you think of the song in the comments section.

[YouTube / Bandcamp]

[Grade: 7.6]

Matthew Plunkett: Blasphemy I know, but for me the Mint Chicks had good taste but not much else. I love The Buzzcocks and Devo as much as anyone else in the Hipster Elite Squadron but I never was completely wowed by their dayglo version of all the right noises – it always seemed like a lot of self conscious posing to me rather than a bunch of good songs. The last phase – The ‘ELO’ phase – I liked the best. Bad Buzz. So I was a bit interested in this – a new song from one of the chief Gods in the band. Turns out I am ambivalent. It sounds just as one dimensional as everything else he has has done. The ping pong verse bounces around aimlessly and the chorus does nothing surprising but offer a different seemingly unconnected section. The vocal clings to the melody the whole way through like a pissy little Jack White kid. It goes on and then gets some momentum at the end with a faster bit and then its finished. Done. Empty. Not disgorged exactly, just unfulfilled. This is the song that he chooses to give us to introduce his new band…really? I am obviously out of step with the hipster elite. I must work harder. I will shine my badge and choose new sunglasses. Keep my hair animated at all times. [5]

Luke Jacobs: It is hard to not compare this to Unknown Mortal Orchestra or F In Math. Certainly it feels closer to the former and not the latter. We begin with a thick sounding bass line that thrums and rattles. The rhythm section is chaotic and shambling. Kody Nielson places distortion on his voice initially but that falls away as the song launches into the verse. I would love to know what parts Bic Runga played because I just can’t see it. The climax of this track is a psychedelic whirlpool of sound and I really enjoyed it. But again it is hard not to compare this to UMO and both of them have this murky punk aesthetic combined with a tinge of blues and psychedelia. Vocally they are both strong but time will tell as to who can build upon the initial impressions and create a new identity. [8]

Nicky Andrews: From the first few bars, this is clearly a Mint Chicks-inspired track, and would not have been out of place as part of the tracklist for Bad Buzz, or even Screens. Given that Opossom is comprised of those within Kody’s inner musical sphere – including ex-Mint Chicks’ bassist Michael Logie, Bic Runga, and his Dad – this is hardly surprising, but not necessarily a bad thing. This is not what I would call a departure from Neilson’s musical style – it’s full of pop harmonies, looping, and progressive psych droning, and is a great example of how to execute vocal manipulation melodically. If you’re stoked on this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing you’d be stoked about – otherwise you might find it a bit dull. [8]

Dan Taipua: I am going to listen the shit out of this album when it comes out. [9]

Eamonn Marra: Oh man, it is so nice to hear Kody Neilson doing something again. This is just amazingly produced. It’s interesting both Neilson brothers have gone quite psychedelic, following the direction the Bad Buzz EP went in, but I think this beats UMO at that (although I bet they probably hate being compared to one another as if it is a competition) Bic Runga’s subtle backing vocals are really nice and her voice works well with Kody’s. I think my favourite thing about this song though is the bass, it is just so powerful and just punches you. Can’t wait to hear more. [9]

Timothy Marsh: Immediately intrigued by this unexpected error daring to cross paths with itself, the rare candy promised is enough to seem it plausible. This sounding like something Supergrass would make had they formed this year however is an idea now permanently stained in the folds of my judgement hat. I just hope the next stain produced is a little less familiar. [7]

Michael McClelland: This is probably what would happen if you gave Led Zeppelin spaceships instead of guitars. Oh, and then if you taught John Bonham how to really play drums. I don’t think this guy needs a [10] from anyone by the sound of such nonchalant experimentation. You can almost expect something whacked out by now – maybe that’s why he collaborated with Bic Runga. To keep people guessing. Or, you know, because he’s dating her. But yeah, this new stuff. Still totally unlike anything I’ve ever heard before… as usual. [7]