Review THE NEPTUNE POWER FEDERATION ‘Goodnight my Children’

Eagerly awaited and finally on its way, this is the new longplayer from The Neptune Power Federation. ‘Goodnight My Children’ is the title of this new musical explosion from the Australian rockers and it lives up to the high expectations.

Eight songs in total make up ‘Goodnight My Children’, and although it is not equipped with a long playing time, the album is a rock treat. The first thing fans will notice is the colorful artwork, which in a way reflects the sound of the new effort. ‘Goodnight My Children’ is more catchy than some of the earlier releases and takes some inspiration from the 80s Sunset Stripe sound. ‘Twas a Lie’ is a song that echoes these influences, and it is a late 70s vibe that also spices up the song and the album.

Although ‘Goodnight My Children’ shows a new twist, the band’s trademarks remain untouched. The iconic vocals of Screaming Loz Sutch, the guitar power and the thundering beat, it’s all there and makes it easy to identify the album as coming from The Neptune Power Federation. Rather, the five-piece add another layer to their roaring music (‘Woe Be Father’s Troubled Mind’).

The start of the album, however, is crisp and straightforward. In less than three minutes, The Neptune Power Federation unleash the spirit of rock’n’roll. It’s an electrifying ode to rock music with great vocals and a furious guitar solo.

Photo: Stephen Boxshall

The spirit of the late 70s is the fuel for ‘Evermore’ before ‘Hariette Mae’ takes over. Not only is it the longest song on the album, clocking in at six minutes. ‘Hariette Mae’ is also a bit different from most of the other songs. Starting dark and quiet, the song develops into a pounding mid-tempo rocker that is a bit heavy and gloomy. It’s a great counterpoint to some of the more upbeat anthems on the album.

The title track is the slightly melancholic closing chapter of the album and another example of the album’s versatility. Screaming Loz Sutch adds a lot of emotional impact to the song, which begins quietly and emotionally, before developing into a powerful and intense rollercoaster ride. Her screams and singing style is key to the intensity of the title track as she seems to live the lyrics rather than just singing words.

The Neptune Power Federation add with ‘Goodnight my Children’ another highlight to their excellent discography . Without standing still, the Australian five-piece manages to stay true to their roots while still surprising listeners and fans with some new twists. ‘Goodnight My Children’ is pure fun, entertaining and an ode to the power of rock music.