Icing on the chocolate cake

YOU could call it ambush pop, if you like.

Like the proverbial cake with a file inside, it is camouflaged by a sweet, innocuous fa�ade, but under the rich strings, mesmerising piano melodies and the occasional flourish of mandolin, tin whistle or something stranger, My Friend the Chocolate Cake smuggle some of the most potent themes and sentiments found in contemporary pop.

Home Improvements is the fifth studio album by the Melbourne acoustic ensemble since they formed, as a side project to Not Drowning Waving, in 1989.

As always, this album is an incredible study in contrasts, from sumptuous orchestral pop songs to fragile ambience; from wild, exotic instrumentals to poignant and potent Australian stories from the 'burbs and the outback.

"They're all parts of what this band does," said singer-pianist David Bridie.

"Sometimes it really belts, other times it's beautifully layered pop and other times you can hear a pin drop. We've been doing it for 17 years now. "You get to know yourself after a while. With this album I think we've learned to really appreciate what we have."

Much of the Cake's mercurial brilliance is evident between the first two tracks.

'Hymn for the Carnies' is a slow, cinematic pan across a summer fairground, a melancholy melody weaves through the colourful carnival images as if to reveal the secret hearts of the folks who keep the Ferris wheel turning.

'Home Improvements' is another skilled sketch of modern day ambivalence.

It's universal daydream of escape recalls the band's hit of 1994, 'I've Got A Plan,' but it's dancing pizzicato and huge, cascading, car-radio chorus disguise a howl of exasperation from the treadmill of consumer culture.

"It's a great band for pop songs," says David. "It's great having the strings and we got into backing vocals in a big way this time. We wanted to really complete the songs, which we haven't always given ourselves the time to do.

"We weren't over-finicky but we made sure every song was fully realised."

My Friend the Chocoalate Cake are currently beginning their much anticipated Australian wide tour.

The band will be playing the Heritage Hotel in Bulli on Sunday May 27.

Tickets available at the door.