http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/44439-axiom

I hate to sound like my mother, but maybe the Lovetones need to choose
better friends. The Australian quartet owed Bomp! Records big time when the
label released their 2002 debut and generated a decent buzz for the group,
but espousing themselves to Bomp!'s de facto popular kid the Brian Jonestown
Massacre wasn't necessary in repaying the favor. The Lovetones, a band
that's shared studios and tour buses with the BJM, now apparently shares
their cohorts' disappointing ability to tap the Summer of Love's most
mediocre aspects. However, Lovetones frontman Matthew Tow's finely honed
singer-songwriter sensibilities differ him from BJM head Anton Newcombe.
Whereas Newcombe tries to commandeer faux-Stones or faux-MC5 tunes far more
fitting for a synergetic group, Tow takes aim at more singular inspirations.
David Bowie, John Lennon, Lou Reed, and their more modern soundalikes
permeate this album, though Tow's limited vocal presence keeps expectations
in check.

To their credit, the Lovetones make a marked effort to steer away from
obvious touchstones on Axiom, a change from the heavy-handed homages on
2005's Meditations. Axiom begs the question though of whether or not the
band's chops pack enough punch to stand without the crutch of instantly
recognizable and likable classic rock accouterments. Stripped down,
melody-driven tracks like "Wintertime in Hollywood", "Say You Will", and
"Alone" dabble in the margins of classic and indie rock, taking a little
Beatles there, a little Matthew Sweet or R.E.M. there, and topping the whole
thing off with the nasally drawl of Britpop. Originality aside though, these
numbers lack the memorability of Axiom's more heavily stylized songs.
"Pieces of Me"'s space-age chord changes and showtune grandeur nods to Ziggy
Stardust, and the band's obviously not trying to hide "Please Don't Break My
Heart Tonight," an 8-minute centerpiece of Pink Floyd-style
conscience-bending.

Despite these exceptions, Axiom will most likely leave your heartstrings
taut and your mind not blown. The band hardly gets worked up over one
mid-tempo pop song after another, so why should listeners? While critics
rail against the BJM for their self-mythologizing and self-important
songwriting, the Lovetones could stand to curb the modesty and risk making
mistakes. Sure, visions of reaching rock heaven alongside their favorite
icons would be foolish, but these guys shouldn't stay caged in Axiom's
sobering reality.

-Adam Moerder, August 02, 2007

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