3) Powderfinger

The adjective “anthemic” is rarely used to describe a band’s music and yet since the year 2000, Powderfinger are in the fortunate position of being described as such by just about every reviewer in Australia. Really, what better compliment could a band receive than saying that their music, regardless of whatever style it is at the time, coalesces and inspires people on a regular basis?

Apart from the singer, the members of Powderfinger are not often thought of as exceptional musicians, but their song-writing as a group is their true gift. As a guitarist, I respect that they’re one of the few bands today to use a dual electric guitar line-up in synergy (also see Dallas Crane) and for the most part creatively, as opposed to straight rhythm and lead. Just listen to the intro of the epic “Thrilloilogy”, with five unique parts playing in perfect harmony, and yet almost in a competitive manner, vying for the listener’s attention. As for the previously mentioned singer, Bernard Fanning gets a lot of stick, especially from Shaun, but he is the best vocalist that Oz Rock has to offer today, with an earnest delivery that can turn the most overused cliché into heartfelt sentiment.

Powderfinger are to be commended for being a band that never rests on their laurels, constantly evolving their sound with each step in their career. It would be easy to maintain the light studio rock of Odyssey Number 5 (their most successful album) for the rest of their career, especially as they’re all middle-aged gentlemen. But they followed that up with their tribute to classic rock Vulture Street, which also was a hit and my personal favourite album of 2003 (well it’s either that or Innocent Eyes by Delta Goodrem*). And now they’ve even left that behind, for the atmospheric Dream Days at the Hotel Existence, which initially I felt was quite dull overall, but has gained a second wind with me after hearing the songs live and loud.

No other band sounds as effortlessly Australian as Powderfinger or has more to say about what it is to be Australian today. “Bless My Soul”, the number one most listened song on my digital music listening device, is the ultimate “going to the beach song” for me. “Roll Right By You” from Vulture Street is a plea to middle Australia to be more compassionate after being united in their blatant racism following the Tampa affair in 2000. Hell, “Lost and Running” IS Australia in the 2000s, in both sound and lyrical themes.

But the main reason to like Powderfinger? They regularly thrashed Coldplay in cricket when they toured with them in 2001. Advance Australia Fair (sniff).

*NOTE: I have not really listened to Innocent Eyes in its entirety.