P.T Barnum, the infamous owner of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and perpetrator of some of the most celebrated hoaxes of the early 20th century is quoted as saying that “There’s a sucker born every minute". And just like Mr Barnum, Sydney power pop outfit Starcrazy are showmen by profession. But mark my words, you’ll be anything but a sucker if you get your hands on the band’s debut EP, ‘Played For Suckers’.

I refer to the band as “Power Pop”, and to a degree that’s true. Having said that, there’s so much more going on with this group that it’s quite difficult to pin them down with a specific label. Suffice it to say, that if there’s a label that describes them to a tee, then it would be that they most certainly do ROCK!

Opening track 'Rise’ is a bass heavy slow burner instrumental that sets a somewhat foreboding tone before kicking in to the band’s current single ‘Taking Down The Brutes’, which is about the most fun you can have whilst upright and fully clothed. I can see why they chose this as the single to promote the EP, as it’s a rambunctious and raucous fun fest, with about as many twists and turns as a Helter Skelter, with the adrenaline rush to go with it.

I reviewed the next song, ‘Long Way Home’ when it was released as a single in 2020 (check it out in the single review section), and I still stand by every word, as it continues to be an exuberant 60’s inspired track, which upon further listens has traces of a 70’s west coast California vibe, with a sweeter than candy floss melody.

From here proceedings get well and truly interesting, as we now get three brand new tracks.

‘Disturb the Peace’ is a straight up rocker that does precisely what it says on the label, but in all the right ways. When ‘Gimme Back My Stereo’ first kicks in, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the theme from Friends was being played, but it actually morphes into one of the catchiest tracks on ‘Played For Suckers’, with a chorus to die for. Final track, ‘Not The Only One’ closes out the EP with Starcrazy’s heaviest track to date, with the attitude dialed up to 10, and the guitar riff tuning dropped to low.

I’ve always believed that Starcrazy were capable of delivering an outstanding extended release, and they have outstripped my expectations. ‘Played For Suckers’ is a must have, and the bar has been set for all other local releases this year!

Highlights - ‘Taking Down the Brutes'. ‘Long Way Home’, ‘Gimme Back My Stereo’, ‘Not The Only One’

Rating - 8.5 / 10

(Reviewer - Byron More)

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