Record Review - 3 April 01 2004

Australian singer/songwriter Charles Jenkins won acclaim Down Under as frontman of the sparkling pop band Ice Cream Hands, where his Elvis Costello-ish lyrics swirled within upbeat jangle ‘n’ bomp. Bungalow, a solo album, finds the ‘roo rocker in a quietly reflective mood more akin to the Costello of “Shipbuilding,” Jenkins’ voice little more than a gentle whisper over acoustic guitars on the CD opener.

“All the Pretty Girls (in Barcelona)” could be Jenkins’ subdued repetition of a mantra to keep himself focused on one loving, devoted woman amid a pulchritudinous plethora of sweet distractions. Electric guitars illuminate “Princess,” on which he strikes a lightly sarcastic tone (“I’d buy a camera to take photographs/Of all the camera men”). But the most inescapably Costello-ish song is “I don’t care,” about his ability to ignore a girl’s myriad problems and warning signs (a cheating mom, a sibling who works as a prostitute) during his headlong rush to consummate the romance.

Bungalow’s finest track, however, is “Fear No One,” which, despite the macho ring of its title, is a moving portrait of paternal dedication (“Right before the voices break/Before you fly the coop/Count me in”). It’s the most personally revealing song on an intensely personal album from an artist deserving of internationally bubbling up rather than remaining Down Under (the radar).

Charles Jenkins plays the Red Light Cafe Sat., April 3, 8 p.m., $7; and Smith’s Olde Bar Sun., April 4, 8 p.m., $3.