Excellent single
J. Luckman | Washington | 11/01/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is the worst of the three singles from ON5, but it is still Powderfinger and their singles are always GOOD. It has come to be expected.
Many in Oz wonder why "The Metre" was made a single. It really isn't a single-type song, while nearly all the other tunes on the album are. Could've done better with "Up & Down & Back Again" but I don't care, "The Metre" is probably runner-up for the best song on the album overall.
The only reason I give it 4 stars is because: it's a double-A side, "Number of the Beast" isn't an original tune and "Whatever Makes You Happy (piano version)" is just a different arrangement of an album song. Powderfinger has always made sure they're submitting new material for their singles, something that a lot of bands don't tend to do. U2(similar in many respects also) releases a lot of their singles with tons of different versions of the same song. Dance remixes, acoustic versions, blah blah. Powderfinger has only done this with the "Internationalist" single for "Already Gone" and from what I know they learned their lesson and weren't too pleased with what the DJ did w/ their song "The Day You Come." Anyway, "Number of the Beast" (originally done by Iron Maiden) approaches with a jazzy feel to the metal tune. It certainly doesn't strike out. Very well-done vocals here from Bernard Fanning and a fun cover to listen to repeated times. "Odyssey #3" is another jazzy tune with keys and guitars behind bassist John Collins' perfect vocals for the little jam. "I'm on fire" he says, "hot is the fire/It's burning like my love." "Have you ever been on fire?" he asks. Wurlitzer is well done here. "Whatever Makes You Happy (piano version)" is the main downfall here. I enjoy it, but with a piano version of the song, I thought Bernard's voice would lean even more toward sadness and unconditional love as the song is written about, but here he sounds even more upbeat than the acoustic/Hammond album version. Overall, a great single with great cover art. The first time Powderfinger has been featured on the front of one of their releases, with most of the shrunken pictures taken by guitarist Darren Middleton. It's about time for the 5 to give themselves a pat on the back."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1