Danna & The Changes Consonant Cacophony by: Ennis Cehic Wed:24-Sep-08 Label: Pob Boomerang Year: 2008 WB rating 41 out of 100

The coerced smile on Danna Simmons face, his thumb hanging loosely of the pocket of his high-waisted pants pocket, is not the look of a nerveless rock musician, nor are his band members ‘The Changes’ any different. In harmony, dressed in what could be perceived as rural apparel, they pose in a fashion apparent of sensible folk rock groups, standing and leaning comfortably against a fence of possibly a farm in Deniliquin, rural NSW.

Immediately as the first song ‘Baby Love’ comes on, pulsating fast guitars and energy, one becomes surprisingly aware that quick judgments are often deceiving. The truth of Danna & the Changes’ music defies its country look. The band is a pop-rock posse with proud vocal performances, guitars, drums and energy. As such, many of the songs are uplifting and entertaining, with tracks like ‘I’ll Come ‘Round’ foraying into twee-country – albeit with some confronting lyrics, “I’ve been waiting every single night/don’t you wanna find out if I’m gay?/You’ve been waiting just as long as me/Don’t you want to find out if I’m a good guy?”

Convincing as the rock credentials may seem, generally Consonant Cacophony is simply a generic pop-rock album. The strength lies in the few fuzzed-out punk-rock songs such as ‘Baby Love’, ‘Good Duet’, ‘Rise and Shine’ and ‘Shake it Up’. The remaining piano-pop ballads take the album away from its strengths, with the exception of ‘Good Times’, a melancholy and well executed song with as sweet melody, the rest seems merely filler.

Simmons certainly has a knack for understanding the edifices of music, proving this by being both producer and engineer on the album. Having formerly fronted The Suits, who toured the East Coast extensively supporting bands such as You Am I, Youth Group, Interpol and The Thrills, it seems Simmons has clearly taken a new step in his music career, showing more of his personal vision on Consonant Cacophony.

This more individual execution, as much as it highlights his talent, struggles to find consistency, as the whole thing jumps from fuzzed out punk-rock to country twee, from rock ‘n roll to ballads. Lyrically, the album portrays a sense of eagerness and excitement, almost like the role of Simmons being a songwriter needed to be validated. In ‘Are You Gonna Take me Home?’ his attempt at getting laid is not so bright: “are you gonna take me home/I’m asking cause my girlfriend is on the telephone/it’s high time I got you low down”.

Consonant Cacophony certainly showcases the skill and development of a young Australian musician. Danna has shown here that fruition is possible, but at best this is a hit and miss album, that misses most of the time.