Laura Imbruglia has a new band and a self-titled debut album. The album will surprise those not familiar with her music and may confound those who have seen her play solo. Her music is a mix of classic pop sensibility and punk attitude inspired by the discontent that comes with being a glass-half-empty kind of person. Her quirky pop style has been compared to Jonathan Richman and Liz Phair, while she, herself, would like to think her favourite artists like Queen and The Carpenters have subconsciously seeped into the mix. Imbruglia’s lyrics are a mixture of wit, introspection, pointed nonsense and extended metaphor. Her style is crazy yet uncomplicated and you can’t help but be charmed. It’s this unusual blend of styles that makes her debut album an underground pop gem. Check out songs like “Looking For A Rabbit” and “My Opus”. They’re the perfect illustration of both her disarming originality as a songwriter and the punchy and infectious power of her band - featuring heavy-hitting drummer Nick Kennedy (Big Heavy Stuff, The Cops) and unique bass player, Stiff. So what about the album? Well it vibrates with all the energy and power one expects from a musical chemistry that works. Imbruglia says the edict was to just go for it – and go for it they did. The album features bits of indie (“Hurt My Feelings”), countrified pop (“Tear Ducts”), and fuzzed-out punk (“Lettuce & Anarchists”), while lyrically there are songs about longing for the impossible (“My Dream Of A Magical Washing Machine”), the various stages of doom (“My Opus”), and feeling downhearted (“What She Said”). Tim Powles’ (drummer of The Church) production & the cast of cameos – Dave Rennick (Dappled Cities), the Hard Ons’ Blackie and Koool G Murder (The Eels) – all add their sonic and musical muscle. She’s maturing and changing as a songwriter and the band is allowing her to realize her musical ambitions. But she’s still singing from her unique perspective & from the heart; as on her 2003 self-released EP, It Makes A Crunchy Noise. Only now she’s a few years older, and hopefully a little wiser! This brings us back to where we started. Since recording the album she’s been on the road, playing national tours of her own and also scoring support slots along the way with Fiery Furnaces, The New Pornographers, Violent Femmes, Jon Auer (The Posies), Josh Pyke, Bob Evans and many more. Add to that some huge festival performances (Big Day Out & Splendour in The Grass), and you have a very busy gal! She hopes to see you on her upcoming tour!