Died Pretty - Trace

Trace
Died Pretty
Columbia

After eleven years and four albums Died Pretty, a quintet from Australia, have signed with Columbia Records and released the latest in a string of many fine albums. Already the darlings of the overseas press and college/alternative radio, this new disc may expose their brand of rootsy, jangling, rock to a wider audience. Formed in 1983 when singer/lyricist Ronald S. Peno and guitarist/songwriter Brett Myers got together with keyboardist Frank Brunetti and recorded a couple singles, which were later released in this country as an EP. 1985 saw the addition of drummer Chris Welsh and another EP followed. In 1986 they recorded the critically acclaimed Free Dirt (which England's Melody Maker called "a superb album") and continued touring. Lost the next release (and first to see U.S. distribution by a major label) had the critics drooling again but, alas, no airplay. But that problem didn't shadow these guys for long. 1990's Every Brilliant Eye reached the top 10 on the American college/alternative charts and had the critics howling for more. Died Pretty responded with Doughboy Hollow in '91 and were hailed as a major musical force. After listening to that album again and then playing this new disc it's easy to see why. (SC)