Album Review: Split Seconds - Rest & Relocation

The streets of Melbourne aren't quite paved with gold; just ask Split Seconds.

Having achieved some success with All You Gotta Do in 2012, the four-piece headed over the Nullarbor to base themselves in Melbourne where it was assumed they'd hit the ground running. But having given up a somewhat loyal following out West, the band have struggled to make an impact since then and subsequently Rest & Relocation has the feel of a last-ditch attempt to crack the Eastern market. Which is why this album is particularly confusing and frustrating.

The band has some serious talent as shown by the album's opening tracks. Relocation Blues belts along as main man Sean Pollard relates the band's disastrous move, while Any Minute Now is dark and propulsive. Album highlight Young Adults could be 2016's most perfect little pop rocker. Packed with creative guitar melodies, it effortlessly twists and turns in numerous cool directions without breaking a sweat. Pollard was a music journo back in Perth and would be well aware of needing to throw everything at this release to make an impression out East. And, that's why this album confuses and frustrates, for while the remaining songs are pretty good — especially Relocation Blues #2 — they seem somewhat restrained, as if the band's playing within itself. At the same time, after four years, a nine-track release that goes just 33 minutes probably doesn't cut it as a statement album, especially when one feels like Split Seconds have plenty more quality songs to give.