‘Loyal fans of the Pop Punk and Goth music scene have something to be cheerful about, and not ironically,’ they tell us. As well they might: Radiana describe their music as ‘driving power-pop that comes out of 80’s Indie Rock meets 60’s pop and 90’s Sheogaze’. In a sense, this is all true. ‘Tigress’ features a descending sequence of power chords that are pure old-school punk, but the harmonious female vocals are pure pop, and it works pretty well.
There’s also a proper rock ‘n’ roll feel to the guitar break that interrupts the buoyantly poptastic ‘Brother Sun’, while ‘Mona Lisa Smile’ comes on like a goth-tinged Blondie.
There are some darker post-punk moments, too, and while ‘Glass Mountain’ has a steel core in sonic terms, lyrically it’s a bit daft and its delivery (in particular the chorus of ‘Little girl, little boy / standing on the glass mountain’), all too straight-faced to take very seriously.
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The loping folk-rock of ‘Cyclops’ is a shade corny, a rocked-up take on the early sound of All About Eve, and closer ‘Something Like Penguins’ is a stab at glam-lite that doesn’t really work. Ultimately, despite the band’s best efforts, it all begins to sound a bit samey after a while, and it’s definitely all been done before.
Older goth-poppers may recall Sunshot, who burned briefly but brightly enough to support The Sisters of Mercy alongside Murder Inc at Birmingham NEC in 92, and the bouncy, energetic guitar pop of Radiana essentially recaptures that spirit. Unfortunately, Radiana aren’t as good.
Radiana Online
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