Kompos En Kraai

These days, to go to the trouble of recording an Afrikaans rock album implies you are either very brave or very foolish. You're up against CDs with names like 'Blaas My Bal' made by people with synthesisers in a garage somewhere in downtown Benoni. Willim Welsyn en die Sunrise Toffies are definitely very brave. Although Bok van Blerk won't lose any sleep, with 'Kompos En Kraai' the Stellenbosch threesome have created a very listenable 12-track disc, consisting mostly of guitar rock sprinkled with cynical lyrics.

The guys followed the AC/DC formula, which dictates that the rhythm section is king (that means the bass and the drums rule). ''n Monster Soek Sy Meester' is based on this premise, and the likeness to the Oz legends is more than just passing.

The album is filled with Gibson Les Paul power chords, interspersed with mean riffs. And I have a sneaking suspicion that the drummer got double-bass drum pedals for Christmas. Guys, really, take it easy with those pedals. Too much of a good thing can become irritating. But otherwise the drummer keeps the whole thing together, nailed down to the concrete floor.

'Glipsluk' — fusing a Led Zeppelin-like sound with a punk section, a Radiohead-ish quiet section, and an REM-like bridge — stands out despite being a bit of mish-mash in terms of influences. But this type of falling around between styles isn't unusual for a new band still trying to carve out their own identity. Even Soundgarden can be spotted hanging around the edges of 'September Vensters'. Kim Thayil, Soundgarden's master guitarist, would probably nod in approval at several moments during the song.

Other favourite moments include the quiet bits on 'Langbome Toe', which, as the name implies, muses about mortality: "Daar is soveel dooie mense wat my vriende kon wees."

The depth is there — the guys should definitely be good for more albums, given they can find their own sound. They'll surely be able to give the Springbok Nude Girls a run for their money.