The Fauves returned in 1996 with their third album,
Future Spa. The atmosphere surrounding this release was different from their previous albums as, for the first time, it was almost a guaranteed success after the slow escalation of interest surrounding the band since the release of
The Young Need Discipline. And the band did not disappoint.
The Fauves' wicked sense of humor guides this album, perhaps more so than in the past. In fact, the track list looked more like a TISM album than a
Fauves release. The difference, though, is the music. Whereas TISM had decided that dance music with tasteless and often offensive lyrics was their medium, the Fauves continued with their grungy guitar tunes. On
Future Spa, in contrast to their previous outings, the band had modified their sound somewhat, allowing their pop sensibilities to become more obvious. And it works.
Future Spa is a great album, full of guitar hooks and catchy melodies, although it's hard not to get the impression that the Fauves are just trying a bit too hard to be funny. Several tracks from this album became, amazingly, mainstream Australian hits. "Dogs Are the Best People" and "Self Abuser" are guitar pop at its best, despite the latter's questionable subject matter. Other highlights here are "Don't Get Death Threats Anymore" and "I Wrote You a Power Ballad." The hidden tracks are worth noting: a version of their single "Everybody's Getting a Three Piece Together" segues straight into the recording of an actual police interview with bandmembers Phil Leonard and Adam Newey regarding marijuana possession. ~ Jonathan Lewis