WALTZ

Augie March are Australian music's best-kept secret. They've been touted as the band to watch by Rolling Stone magazine with their unique sound already likened to Radiohead. 'Waltz' is only Augie March's second 5 track mini-album, and is a giant step forward from their 1998 debut EP, 'Thanks For The Memes'.

The genius of this Melbourne quartet hinges on lead singer/songwriter Glenn Richards (who has a vocal style from the heavens), and three classically-trained, intuitive, adventurous musicians. The title track, 'Asleep In Perfection', is a hauntingly beautiful ballad, and each track from the EP is somehow linked to the previous song by interesting sounds and improvised music.

Produced by Richard Pleasance (Seachange), 'Waltz' is aptly titled and a departure from the "colour-by-numbers" approach used by many local artists - with songs of amazing musicality, originality and beauty.

While you may not recognise the name yet, Augie March are a band for the future. 'Waltz' is a mixture of pop, folk, country, rock, jazz and genius, and if you haven't listened yet, you MUST take the time.