Hey Petrunko

To say it was worth the wait is an understatement. Hatch Opens explodes into a euphoric wall of noise with layers of Sophia Churney's gorgeous 'oohs', preparing you for the rest of the album. Then we're onto familiar ground. Bluebell Morning (originally released as the lead track on an EP in May 2002) is a gloomy song about depression, with a contrasting and promising chorus. Track three, Running Girl, was originally released as the lead track to a mini-album in October 2001. It's a sweet acoustic melody about escapism, sung by a vocodered Danny Popplewell. Both tracks now have added extras, such as undercurrents of bleepings and a new middle eight section in Bluebell Morning.

Dreams In The Air is the next track. It's been around for a while, and is certainly a standout track. The song was first performed as a purely acoustic track for a radio session. It's now been transformed with violins and haunting cellos, while still retaining it's prominently acoustic sound.

Where Did I Go Wrong? is an abrasive song at first, but soon soothes into sliding guitars and a gentle hum of random noises and fairground music, complete with Sophia's peaceful yet haunting vocals and vinyl crackle.

Hand That Gets Burnt is the first song on the album to be penned by solely guitarist Andy Flett. It's also the first track of a couple of songs on the album for which Sophia Churney takes lead vocals. The track is more upbeat, as apposed to the gentle songs that we're familiar with Sophia singing (see Flashing Light At Sunset, Running Girl mini-album). It's a very strong song, which I think is the key song from where Sophia makes her progression from backing vocalist to lead vocalist.

Next, we're back into familiar territory again with SnakeDance (original version on the Bluebell Morning EP). A new introduction leads up to the mess of Arabian strings, distorted guitars and ruthless drums, ending up as tight beast of a song. A new middle eight verse is moulded seamlessly into the recording.

Introduction Hatch Opens is reprised as Open The Hatch, a full song and another standout track. Soft Liverpudlian words are uttered by Sophia's father before Dan Pop pleasantly sings, "There's nothing left to believe in..." The track comes to an abrupt stop when you're blasted off into space and scattered around the universe in a million pieces.

Sophia returns for lead vocal duties again on Cities That Fall, a troubling song with loud cymbals crashing through the chorus. Next track, Abstract Sky, was written in the early days of Hey Petrunko's production. Gentle piano and strings back Danny and Sophia's quiet vocals about searching for magic and happiness. Petrunka's Dream is a key track on the album. Sophia's vocals are soothing yet rough, and the poem read towards the end of the album is strong potential to better the semi-famous poem on Shorley Wall.

First Day Of The Holidays, the first (an indeed only) 'proper' single to be lifted from the album, is noisy, powerful and rocky. This is probably my favourite song on the album, and is a poppy and intense song, which somehow manages to blend in with the rest of the album while being totally different.

Secret World is the calm after the riot. A gentle and serene picture of a world that could be is painted, before twenty seconds of silence precede The Clearing. A vague, repetitive piano plays over futuristic sounds before fading out. It's the album's official end.

Another two or three minutes of silence before bonus track, Summer Nights In June, is faded in. It's an outstanding song written by Andy Flett - probably his best yet. Although not fitting with the album's sound, it certainly deserves a place on the album, and it fits perfectly as a recurrence of hope on the ending of the album.

Popplewell fine-tuned his writing, vocal and production abilities, Andy Flett's songs took a deeper and stronger sound, Stevis' basslines sounded better than ever, Sophia perfected her voice and the band had finally found their drummer in Jaymie Ireland. Ooberman have made a classic album, every second courageous and different from the last. Popplewell created an album that paved the way for a better and bigger Ooberman. Everything was perfect, but the Ooberman dream ended merely 3 months later when Danny split the band. Buy this album now. It's a must for every record collection. Let the magic begin...