BETCHADUPA aiming for your head

This article was written back in the days when Liam Finn (son of Crowded House's Neil Finn) hadn't yet gone solo. And it was written in the days when Wayne Rooney was just a young whippersnapper, learning his trade at Everton. This is what journos call 'setting the scene'. Now that I've done that, you can read on... 

Betchadupa were a revelation at Auckland’s Big Day Out this year, where they outshone every other homegrown act (and on a bill that included The Datsuns and The D4 that was no mean feat). When you have a live show as good as theirs it's a logical step to go analogue and record an album "as live" - so that's exactly what they've done. 

Aiming For Your Head is a definite progression from Alphabetchadupa (their quiet-bit-loud-bit Nirvanalike debut). This time they're bolder and tougher, able to take a few chances and surprise you a bit. The lolloping pyschedelia of 'My Army Of Birds And Gulls' is a fantastic way to start, laced with conspiracy theories and paranoia. Elsewhere, unexpected tempo changes make songs zip about like flies, with ‘Running Out Of Time’ and the title track being particular highlights. 

They're less convincing when they play safe, as on former single 'Move Over' and it's B'side 'The Bats of Darkwell Lane'. Perhaps they sense themselves that they can do better than that now.

All in all though there's enough to suggest that one day Betchadupa are gonna record a five star, solid gold record. This isn't quite it but it's a step in the right direction.

If Aiming For Your Head was a soccer player it would be Wayne Rooney: a gifted youngster offering glimpses of a bright future.

By Andy McLean. Copyright held by author.

First pubished in The Brag, Sydney, 2004.

Aiming For Your Head is available through Liberation Music