The Scientists

The early days of Kim Salmon’s The Scientists is pockmarked with splits, defections, and Perth, Australia scene politics. By the time of their self-titled 1981 debut album, they’d been reduced to a three-piece – Salmon with James Baker (drums) and Ian Sharpies (bass) – and were aiming straight at a curious punk/power-pop hybrid. Having already made one defining statement – The Scientists’ classic debut single, “Frantic Romantic” – Salmon could afford to fill this album with much of the same, and if all you know of The Scientists is their swampy, proto-grunge material, the Real Kids-esque feel here is a welcome surprise.