ALBUM REVIEW: Real Rare Whale – Dune Rats

Australia has a rich history of exporting summery punk-adjacent tunes from a rich and diverse group of bands. All of them utilise the raucous punk chord progressions with infectious chorus melodies that bring you joy every time the proverbial ear worm from down under comes back around. One band have typified that more than most is Brisbane’s DUNE RATS. Affectionally known as the Dunies, this trio of Aussie punks follow up Australian chart topping albums The Kids Will Know It’s Bullshit and Hurry Up And Wait with Real Rare Whale. It’s an album that sees them at their punkiest, punniest and funniest. DUNE RATS have a reputation for being absolutely crazy, but their latest offering sees them up the ante with the fastest and most insane album that they’ve ever made.

With subject matter pertaining to changing the world, couch surfing, teenage crushes and Australia’s stereotypically favourite pastime of drinking all day, it is fair to say that you’ve got the makings of another classic Dunies album. Real Rare Whale sees the band delve more into the punky side of their sound whilst still having copious amounts of fun in the meantime. Like a kid that has eaten too many blue smarties and is running wild on a plethora of E numbers, the energy of this album is infectious, combined with the anthemic chorus melodies you can’t help but get up and dance.

With a teenage spirit and enthusiasm, DUNE RATS have always been ones to bring the party to you, and that includes doing a dirty shoe-y out your sweaty Vans. With that in mind, you can hear the fun and happiness that the Brisbane trio had when they created Real Rare Whale. Wonderfully refreshing and authentic, it is always enjoyable when you see a band that don’t take themselves too seriously and have a knack for writing memorable, catchy and fun songs – that is a considerable skill in itself.

In the crazy world of the Dunies, there is always a whacky, off the wall story to be told. In the case of Real Rare Whale, the most notable has to be Melted In Two, which tells the story of a couple the band met at a bar who talked about a time when they were both high on acid. Under the influence of the hallucinogenic drug they believed if they tried hard enough that they would melt into each other and as a result create one person. The band’s heartwarming message behind this is that you meet people in life that you become so close and in tune with that you become one. This sums up Real Rare Whale in a deeper way, that even through the child-like energy and lyrics, there is the occasional deeper meaning that tugs at your heart strings. There is a lot of positivity throughout the album, emphasising that there is no shame in staying the same, sometimes you don’t need to change and you just need to have fun.

Real Rare Whale opens up with a distantly Australian voice saying “Alright, time for some fun!” and that is exactly what you’re in for. LTD (‘Living The Dream’) kicks off the party in a wonderfully catchy way as Danny Beus (guitar/vocals), BC Michaels (drums/backing vocals) and Brett Jansch (bass) chant “LTD” until it lives permanently into your brain. Dumb TV and UP continue the lively and zesty melodies that put a smile on your face. There is a real Aussie charm in the band’s songwriting that never fails to make you happy; this album symbolises the band’s love of writing songs and covering topics we can all relate to, like childhood crushes.

Pamela Anniston is exactly what you think it is, taken from the perspective of a 17-year-old it charts the lofty crushes on Baywatch star Pamela Anderson and Friends icon Jennifer Anniston. Space Cadet takes on the world and how we can change it, but first you have to do the dishes. It joyfully harkens back to the days where we thought anything was possible despite having to do your chores. Drink All Day is the most punky song on the album and gives the encouraging message that if you are going to drink all day, make sure you start in the morning. If This Is The End brings the album to an energetic close but motivates you to start the album again. 

There is no doubt that this album is there to help you lose all you inhibitions and have fun. Real Rare Whale is a down to earth feel good album that will no doubt earn a place in everyone’s hearts. Simply put, the Dunies have done it again.

Rating: 9/10

Real Rare Whale is set for release on July 29th via Ratbag Records/BMG.

Like DUNE RATS on Facebook.