The Whitlams - Torch The Moon (2002)

The Whitlams' fifth album sees lead vocalist/pianist and major creative force Tim Freedman presenting a work by a band, rather than him and a revolving lineup of musicians. This solid four-piece lineup features Jak Housden (the Badloves) handling the guitar, Warwick Hornby on bass (Max Sharam, Paul Mac) and Terepai Richmond (DIG, Tina Arena) behind the drums. The first single, "Fall for You," detailing someone wrestling with possibly impending feelings of love for another, offers a distinct change in mood and a sense of lowered accessibility. However, their follow-up single, the wonderful George Harrison-esque "Best Work," was a trademark Freedman story of love gone wrong, complete with a singalong, lighter-waving ending. Torch the Moon only falls when the band significantly stray from their classic rock/pop sound, particularly when exploring rhythmic surf guitar experiments ("Gone Surfing"), eerie historical ballads ("Kate Kelly") or frantic workouts ("Coming Over"). This minor flaw does not take away from the excellent music on show, including a re-recorded version of "I Will Not Go Quietly (Duffy's Song)" (originally heard on the ABC's TV program Love is a Four Letter Word, but not officially released), the rollicking "Royal in the Afternoon" and the opening angst of "Cries Too Hard," featuring the lyric that gives the album its name. The best two moments are the last; "Breathing You In" is a beautiful introspective piece on the joys of sleeping in and snuggling up to your partner in bed. "Ease of the Midnight Visit" juxtaposes this morning bliss with the unrequited love of a teenager pining for affection and resorting to casual surveillance. Ultimately, this is a strong album from a promising lineup.~Torch the Moon Review by Clayton Bolger