by Michael Sutton Pseudo Echo never attained the multi-platinum success of Duran Duran in America, but Pseudo Echo's self-titled debut album should've conquered the charts. Entitled Autumnal Park in the band's native Australia, Pseudo Echo booms with infectious new wave rhythms; icy keyboards, pounding drums, and fiery electric guitars drive vocalist Brian Canham's chilly croon. On "A Beat for You," "Listening," and "Stranger in Me," Pseudo Echo hit the jackpot, finding mercilessly catchy grooves and then running with it. These tracks explode from the speakers with breathless energy, bombarding the listener with rapid-fire hooks. The lyrics lack depth, but they aren't intended for in-depth analysis. The songs are made for dancing, and Pseudo Echo approach every track with unyielding enthusiasm. Even when Canham's voice adopts a serious tone, Pseudo Echo doesn't lose their sense of fun. Ultravox, Duran Duran, and Gary Numan are obvious influences, but Pseudo Echo aren't pale copycats. The slow, romantic groove of "Dancing Until Midnight" and the propulsive guitar riff of "Destination Unknown" show that Pseudo Echo were able to equal or even surpass the sublime pop of their new romantic heroes. Pseudo Echo is a sadly underappreciated effort, usually dismissed by critics unable to feel the warmth beneath the group's jubilant, synthesized pop.