On 'Doughboy Hollow,' the band's fourth and most consistent release, Died Pretty makes good on the promise evident in its previous outings. The album's cover is adorned with a sepia-toned photo of a big, cloud-darkened sky over a ruined car and a ravaged weather vane enmeshed in overgrown weeds. The images suggest abandonment, loss and retribution – and through this album's eleven songs,...

Together for more than 10 years and massive in their native Australia, Died Pretty have inched ever closer to Stateside success. "Trace" could put them over. Mainstream rockers of a fierce proficiency, they flourish the usual virtues of a road-tested crew – stylistic variety, clean musicianship, skillful arranging. But juxtaposing keyboardist John Noey's choice fills against guitarist Brett...