Flaming Lips? Glam Rock? Super Furry Animals? Koala have a lot more in common with the aforementioned than anything that is punk or fantastic but I’ll attempt to tell you a little about them regardless. Trying to classify something as diverse and as surreal as ‘Do Not be Afraid’ is easier said than done and for 43 minutes we are treated to slow mournful acoustic efforts, bouncy wistful sing alongs and many ironic gestures. But all are performed with such care free and humorous attitudes you can’t help but fall in love with the Midlands outfit.
I have to admit it took me a long time to really appreciate the beauty of Koala. The first few listens were a little surreal as you attempt to get your head round some of the classy melodies and vocals on display, with it rarely being boring. So why am I not completely head over heels in love with it? Trying to answer the question is a difficult one, but at times the songs can become a little stretched with certain efforts lasting a little too long or short, but I am nitpicking, so I’ll tell you a little about the gems on show. Opener ‘Mna Mna Mna’ is charmingly seductive while ‘Lets Make War’ is a hilariously subdued parody of American values adapted to a relationship, and I dare anyone not to crack a smile when having to listen to such lines as “No U.N peacekeeping task force can keep us apart, cause I know both barrels are aimed at my heartâ€, it is deliciously camp and is one of the highlights of the album.
‘Guatanamo Bay’ is another politically charged effort, while ‘The World was to Big’ shows a slight change of direction with both the humour and pace slowed while the lead vocals sound eerily like an old school Damon Albarn. ‘Time to say Goodbye’ is another heartfelt and touching piece of music which captures the imagination while the only slight let down of the ten tracks is final effort ‘The Cup A Soup Song’ which just doesn’t really fit in with anything else previously heard.
Koala are deliciously stylised in everything they have attempted in the ten tracks. No formula is stuck to, and no barriers have caged them in. The song writing is something to be admired and quirky bands such as this are one of the biggest perks of the job here at Punktastic towers, lets only hope they get the plaudits they deserve from here on in.
Jay