College Fall

Wearing their US-inspired hearts on their sleeves, Perth-based College Fall tread the indie-pop stage with confidence.
Alternating vocals between Glenn Musto and Jodie Lee Bartlett, the duo are helped out by a range of guest musicians, producing an album of tracks that would provide a handy soundtrack to any number of US teen dramas. “My Confession” is earnest stuff, with a rockin’ chorus and a cutesy he says-she says vocal. Bartlett takes the lead on “Come to Bite Us”, with an Angie Hart tone (minus the Aussie accent). Musto has a good pop delivery on “The Flood”, at first reminding me of early ’90s Boston outfit Buffalo Tom (remember them?) before a singalong chorus kicks in. “This Change” returns us to Bartlett’s sparse but solid vocals.
College Fall have been receiving good airplay on the various “yoof” networks with this album, their third.

There’s touches of REM, Frente!, The Shins and a host of other bands on this highly polished album. Closing track “Burnt Out” provides a gentle, poignant exit. – Varsity Records - The Independent Weekly

The Curse of Us is College Fall's "difficult second album". Kind of. Although it is the second under this monicker the two halves of the band have been responsible for EPs, singles and full-length albums from some of Perth's much-loved bands of the last 10 years (including Showbag! The Nordeens and Josivac). It is also the first that seems to blend aspects of all these acts.
While previous offering "Eleven Letters" was basically an obvious continuation in style fromShowbag, Curse gets as noisy as the 'deens ever did and probably more sparse and acoustic than the more folky Josivac. Case in point is album highlight The Flood complete with drunken bar room choir which is followed (and polarised) by the quiet and introspective This Change. Both tracks embrace the strengths in Glenn and Jodie's musical talents and song-writing.
For fans of the duo (both old and new) there is more than enough here to keep you coming back for more and with an extensive Australian tour commencing shortly there's ample opportunity for the band to pick up some new converts this time around. 
' - Perthbands

To those unfamiliar with the now Melbourne-based duo, COLLEGE FALL’s ‘The Curse of Us’ may appear to be the lovechild of angst and punk rock. The act’s sophomore album appears to be filled with angry, bleak titles that bring to mind screaming vocals, heavy guitar, and the colour black. The record, however, is a surprising blend of indie pop, acoustic folk and alternate rock. ‘The Curse of Us’ slices into our emotions, producing its poignancy largely through what each song says, than through the musical talent of the band. Nevertheless, this isn’t to say that College Fall is without musical talent. In fact, behind all that raw emotion Glenn Musto and Jodie Lee Bartlett prove themselves worthy time and time again.
‘The Curse of Us’ offers a daring look at human relationships, observing the pain we inflict on others and ourselves. Often confronting, the album forces listeners to address themes in their own personal lives. The title track, opens with biting guitars and snapping vocals, which are at one point juxtaposed with softer sensitive guitar movements. These hint at a softer side of College Fall that is explored later in the record.

Sophie - Yeomens - SpaceShip News

For the fourth release on Plymouth based Ride Records, the label turns its eager ears to the other side of the world. Loveable types College Fall come mightily correct with “Gravity”, an anthemic, radio-friendly track coming on like the b**tard son of Postal Service and Frente, a track so beautiful it made Ride’s A&R swell up with pride. Just watch the old heads sing-a-long while the band takes in dates on their European tour over July and August. - ROUGH TRADE RECORDS – SEPTEMBER 2007

Another Australian band with a keen ear for a melody, College Fall serve up a delightful album based on the aforementioned eleven letters, sent between two lovers in the autumn of 2004. We can follow the lovers' trials and tribulations, ups and downs, perfectly sound tracked on this album.

'For What It's Worth' leads things off, a piece of classic pop, like early REM or the Go-Betweens. 'Gravity' is composed as if it's one big chorus, it's a massive pop tune, 'It's All Over' is a harder edged pop, sounding a bit like Sugar, then 'Six Or Seven' is the tender sad song, led by a female vocal.
In 'Like It Or Not' there's hope of redemption, 'This Direction' is like a melancholic Death Cab For Cutie and 'Back Down' is a grandstanding lyrical stand off. Most of all, there's enough hooks and melodies on this album to keep even the harshest cynic satisfied.

- BY RUSSELL BARKER – OCTOBER 2007 www.russelsreviews.co.uk

“In this period of music history, where songwriting is second place to marketability, and image rules over content, College Fall scream 'f**k you' through their delicate porcelain-doll songs. The things that used to matter - lyrics, hooks and honesty - abound in every moment of this duo's music.” - Mike Wafer - X-Press Magazine – Perth, Australia.

“I have hardly seen a band command an audience so effervescently…beautiful acoustic guitar, delectable harmonies and songs that stay in your head for weeks. College Fall are the real deal”


- A Street – DB Magazine – Adelaide, Australia.