New releases from Something for Kate, soundtracks
The Miami Herald, January 29 2003

SOMETHING FOR KATE "Echolalia" (Murmur) 3 stars

When the term Australian music comes up these days, record buyers are likely to think of the disposable dance beats of Kylie Minogue. But the rock side of the Aussie experience has a long, glorious history, rumbling through the blitzkrieg bop of AC/DC in the '70s and the politicized pop of Midnight Oil in the '80s.

Unfortunately, a lot of notable, contemporary Aussie rock from the likes of Powderfinger, Alex Lloyd and the recent release from Silverchair has been overlooked on this side of the ocean. With luck, that won't happen with Melbourne's oddly named Something for Kate. The band's label, Sony-distributed Murmur, certainly has faith in the group: Its debut American album is a two-CD set featuring the original Aussie album "and" 11 other tracks, including five recorded live. 

It's easy to understand Sony's enthusiasm. Though "Echolalia" is named after a mental condition in which a person mimics another uncontrollably, leader Paul Dempsey has a unique voice and vision. His low-key, moody sense of grace, sometimes reminiscent of such acts as R.E.M., the Go-Betweens and The Triffids, gives tracks such as "Only Pictures," "Three Dimensions," "Say Something" and "Feeding the Birds and Hoping for Something in Return" the kind of heartfelt honesty and literacy that's lacking in so much rock 'n' roll these days.

While the 24 tracks here are a lot to digest in one sitting, Dempsey's songs - often revealing themselves after repeated listenings - beg to be explored. Though there are times when Dempsey could use a deeper sense of melody, "Echolalia" overall is a stirring introduction to who could end up being a major rock player.

-Cary Darling