There is a strong possibility that you have already heard Sick Puppies’ music, but are blissfully unaware of that fact. 2006’s hugely popular viral video promoting the “Free Hugs Campaign” featured as its soundtrack the band’s song All The Same, and would receive over 40 million hits on its way to being named YouTube Video of the Year.

Nonetheless, when the trio’s second studio album, Dressed Up As Life, was released the following year – boasting All The Same among the tracklist – Sick Puppies received very little in the way of media attention.

Possibly this was because the mainstream hadn’t quite jumped on the YouTube bandwagon at the time, or possibly it was because, with the notable exception of All The Same, the record sucked balls. Who can say.

Now the Australian (Australian?! They sound about as American as whiny rock can get) have returned with Tri-Polar, and it must be said that it’s an improvement on their previous output. Although that would not in any way be difficult. There is a better consistency of sound here, a more solid collection of tracks than Dressed Up As Life, and the production is a lot cleaner than before. Songs like Too Many Words and album closer White Balloons in particular benefit from this polished sheen.

Problem is, fine-tuned production produces a clear sound that actually doesn’t suit the style Sick Puppies seem to be going for. Smoothing out the rough edges for something trying to be a genuine angsty rock album is kind of incongruous, and the overall result leaves the ostensibly Aussie triumvirate sounding even more blandly American than Nickelback or Lostprophets – why is it that Aussies, Canucks and Welshies insist on aping the most bland rock sound imaginable?!

Some of the fare is simply appalling. Oh, there’s the standard “woe-is-me-I’ve-been-such-a-fool” ballad in the form of the risible Don’t Walk Away, the obligatory “why-the-fuck-did-I-get-with-you-you’re-such-a-bitch” rant in Should’ve Known Better, and the usual “I’m-gonna-kick-your-ass” defiance expressed in You’re Going Down, and that sort of mediocrity is to be expected. But honestly, opening track War is pure unadulterated garbage. It’s just ridiculously awful, in every possible way.

Mediocrity and absolute-war-crime-of-an-opener aside, there’s still a few things to be said for Tri-Polar. While nothing here matches the brilliance of All The Same, some songs are enjoyable enough – Odd One is pretty catchy – and, War aside, nothing here is offensively terrible.

Certainly, if you reserve an affection for moody, confrontational angst-rock, or perhaps would have Linkin Park or Senses Fail in a list of your guilty pleasures, this might appeal to you.

Otherwise, you’ll find this to be the worst kind of imitation rock imaginable; studiously copying American emotional, guitar-driven, fiery-but-pointless rock, one of the most tired, clichéd and crowded genres in music today.

Tri-polar? Tri again.

- Sebastian Clare