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GRINSPOON

They're back. And its been a long time coming. When the boys from Grinspoon assembled in a studio in February of 2006 to begin their fifth album, they did not anticipate 15 months of trials and tribulations. Yet, the reward from their most tumultuous gestation period is sweet: their superb new album Alibis and Other Lies.

Alibis is not only an emphatic return to form, its the most consistent and diverse record of the bands career. While their last album from 2004 Thrills, Kills and Sunday Pills, had them in LA for the production sheen of US producer Howard Benson, Alibis sees Grinspoon returning to their roots, employing Ramesh Sathiah, the man who helmed their first EP back in 1995.

13 years ago, front man Phil Jamieson was just another 17 year old in his first year of university. He and drummer Kristian Hopes relocated from Port Macquarie to Lismore, on the north coast of NSW, in the hope of forming a band. It was here they discovered bassist Joe Hansen and guitarist Pat Davern whiling away their time in a cover band. They were both bored out of their brains, Jamieson recalls. I was studying, Joe had finished his degree, Pat had dropped out, and Kristian was working.

Remarkably, Grinspoons line-up has not changed since its conception. Davern says that in spite of the well-documented inner turmoil of the 12 months, Grinspoons future was never in doubt. We obviously had our moments, he says. But we had a good look at what we were doing. We knew we would have to make some changes. But the bands excited about our future, and thats what keeps us going. Weve had a few setbacks, but weve gotten over all of the bull shit.

Today the Grinspoon family is spread over four cities in two states: Sydney, Wauchope, Coffs Harbour and Brisbane. Band meetings and discussions are often conducted over the net, via email. The band believes this has helped increase their longevity. 'There are emo bands, but we're an email band,' Jamieson jokes. Its a little Grinspoon community we have online.

Each Grinspoon album has had a significant breakthrough song in its development phase. Its the first song that is a definite starter on the album, and the one the record takes shape around. A signature song, if you will. On New Detention it was Anyday, Anyhow. On Thrills& it was Hard Act To Follow.

Alibis is no exception. Early last year, Jamieson sat down and wrote What You Got. The bittersweet kiss-off is classic Grinspoon, and ultimately proved to be a key moment in Alibis gestation. The albums two sublime highlights, Minute by Minute and Leave It were then written in quick succession.

The band convened for 21 days in Sydney for the February 06 sessions. The brief was clear: they sought to create an up tempo album with more variety than Thrills. After working on the album sporadically for the next year, did they succeed? You bet. Im really happy with the mix, Davern beams. Our fans will be really happy, and it will be really good to play live.

For his part, Davern brought a handful of his own songs to the table, five of which made the album. Carried Away is my favorite, he says, proudly. Phil sings in a low register. I wrote the chorus and the music, and he did the verses, so it was a real collaboration. It sounds like us, but its a bit different, and one of those songs that grows.

Aside from Carried Away, there is a swag of highlights. Opening salvo Black Tattoo is a bold statement of intent, and as the searing first single, it adeptly reintroduces the world to the charms of the band. The straight-ahead classic rock of Choir Boy embraces rocks underrated utensil: the cowbell. Adding to the fun, both Davern and Jamieson trade guitar solos in the tracks last minute. We were really restrained on Thrills, so with this one, we were determined not to be, he says.

Elsewhere, there is Find You Own Way, the first country-inflected Grinspoon tune (complete with harmonica and backing vocals from Jamieson's sister Fiona). Thats not to discount the excellent acoustic lament Leave It, and the albums secret weapon: the gorgeous string-laden ballad Minute By Minute.

We werent going to put any strings on the album, but we ended up deciding that because Minute meant something, it needed them. Jamieson says. Its about dealing with someone whos locked in grief. Its very close to our hearts, and has some of the better lyrics on the album. Our songwriting has gotten a little more refined, and more thought out.

The songs are better, Davern adds. We dont want to re-write Lost Control, and theres definitely progress in terms of songwriting quality.

And what of Alibis beguiling title? It came from bass player Hansen. It sums up a lot of personal stuff thats been going on in the band for a little while, Davern cryptically says.

Jamieson turned 30 in April, and with Grinspoon now well into its second decade, he believes theres at least another five albums in the band. So how does he feel about the bands elder statesmen status within the echelons of Aussie rock? We are the elder statesman of rock compared to Kisschasy, he laughs. But what does that make the Beasts of Bourbon?