Well balanced with excellent musicianship and songs.

Just one casual glance at the album artwork for Datura4's brand new opus 'Hairy Mountain' may, understandably, encourage you to move on quickly in search of a more familiar looking Rock album. Like its 2014 predecessor and their debut album 'Demon Blues', it's a cover that oozes Psychedelia; swirling colours, abstract insignia and trippy trappings ... all reminiscent of such classic albums as 'Disraeli Gears' by Cream, The Beatles 'Revolver' and 'Space Ritual' by Hawkwind. Whilst Datura4 may incorporate inspirational elements of those bands in their music, this album is so much more than a trip (pardon the pun) down memory lane; it's a scintillating Rock album that fuses the past, present and possibly the future of Melodic Rock.

Originating from Western Australia, the band comprises of Dom Mariani (vocals), Greg Hitchcock (guitars), Warren Hall (bass) and Stu Loasby (drums) and together they crystallize perfectly to create an amalgam of Boogie, Bluesy, Bar-Room Rock with a Psychedelic overlay. Trust me dear reader, this album will surprise you with its commerciality and its ability to have you singing and tapping along to each and every song. It certainly did with me – so much so that I've ordered my own copy of '...Mountain' and the debut too!

'Fools Gold Rush' begins proceedings; its mid-tempo, dreamy vibe with fuzzy, down-tuned guitars might not be pre-requisites for your discerning Rock palate, but check it out on t'internet and witness it for yourself. Mariani's vocals are perfect for this kind of music, every syllable can be heard and understood with lyrical content (throughout the album) that is full of substance and has that "sing-along-ability" factor. 'Uphill Climb', 'Mary Carroll Park', Greedy World' and 'Too Much (Or Not Enough)' are all worthy, toe-tapping tunes that create a very organic live feel to the album. It shouldn't work for me, but it emphatically does! 'Trolls' and the title track slow things down a modicum, both are slow burning, Bluesy Rockers, each incorporating sizzling guitar breaks by Hitchcock. 'Something To Hide' has a definite Beatles vibe in its vocal delivery whilst 'Confide In Me' is an archetypal boogie-on-down song. Album closer 'Broken Path' allows the band to embrace their acoustic side, a perfect end to the album.

Any bona-fide Rock connoisseur worth their salt should invest in 'Hairy Mountain' – it's well balanced with excellent musicianship and songs.

Dave Crompton