I’m quite the parochial writer at times, constantly championing the cause of unappreciated Australian music. It’s easy for Australian talent to go ignored only because of geographical isolation. However, I’ve come to realize that such patriotism can easily slip into blind jingoism. Hearing a song in an Australian accent makes it no more worthy than any other song.

For a band like Redletter, blind faith may not be enough. During their formative years in our quiet national capital, Redletter forged a solid reputation as a band with chops, but were never a killer act. “Better Things Behind” isn’t the song to change this, but it points to strong potential. Now based in Melbourne—the new black of the Australian music scene—this cut from their forthcoming debut record Your Planes Fill the Sky reveals a strong feel for melody and controlled bluster. Although the song won’t immediately grab you, the chorus has an unexpectedly insistent hook and Michael McHugh’s drumming is a revelation. His crash cymbal work and fills drive “Better Things Behind” where the song’s other elements misfire.

For such an effective song, things almost come undone at the mixing desk. Mark Adams’s voice is fairly anonymous at the best of times and the mix does him no favors, instead trying to drown his energetic performance. Worse, the song is nearly—nearly, mind you—mortally wounded by the anonymously chugging guitar, which does all it can to sap the song of its power. Instead of sharp guitar lines, we get mono-textured power chording.

However, no amount of analysis can alter the fact that “Better Things Behind” is quite an addictive listen. For all of its faults, I still find myself returning to the song’s earnest energy. Perhaps I should have a bit more faith in my fellow Australians.

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