This criminally overlooked band from Australia has been rightly described as “like Crowded House being bent over the bar by XTC.” The band is represented by imaginative animated-style characters (they have a comic strip posted on myspace regularly) and has a combination of influences old and new bathed in sugary sweet pop. It’s almost like discovering The Wiggles, except it’s for adults.

Opening with the commercially viable pop of “Big Celebrity,” it shifts into “Skylarking” mode with “If You’ll Be My Adam” with multiple melodic twists and layered choral effects it makes an excellent single. “When She’s Got Her Blackboots” is another winner and invites comparisons to those Finn brothers. Guitarist/vocalist Stanton has a soothing vocal on “One Million Shirts” that proves to be a brilliant melodic ballad. The dramatic harmonies on “Act 2 Scene 3” are a treat as well. The quality of the songwriting flirts with novelty at times (“She’s So Rude”) or even sixties parody (“Didn’t Know Dumb”) but never fails to get your toe tapping. The title, “Solipsism” is the philosophical idea that only one’s own mind is sure to exist. Here is an album that proves great power pop exists too.

After logging time in with his band Luzer, Timmy has spent the past four years developing this solo album (and growing a beard). In the tradition of pop impresarios like Todd Rundgren or more recently Paul Steel, Timmy  performs nearly every instrument and dabbles in virtually all his childhood influences here. Bookended by an instrumental overture and reprise it has a grandiose scope that touches on McCartney, Brain Wilson, ELO and Queen it certainly sets up your expectations. “Girl From Omaha” carries through it’s promises with a hook-filled chorus and richly textured composition. Another brilliant track is the McCartney-Wings era piano of “If Your Mother Has Her Way” full of horn flourishes and multi-tracked harmonies.

Timmy’s vocals sometimes feel lost in all the instrumental richness, but it’s best displayed on the ballad “There’s No Other Way” which actually reminds me of Extreme’s “More Than Words” a little. And Jeff Lynne fans will flip for “Wait” with it’s orchestral synth bending chords and dramatic chorus. Every track has a detailed and compelling melody from beginning to end. Overall, a brilliant debut that could be a soundtrack to a imaginary musical.  Get a the “Noisewater Overture” FREE here and judge for yourself.