Australian-based Carpenter has a reputation as being the Brad Jones of production for the music scene in his homeland, but his 1999 solo debut"Baby" had tongues wagging as to his own brand of music talent that exceeded his knob-turning talents. Now, his follow-up,"Hopefulness" reveals a bona-fide pop visionary was birthed with his previous disc. Filled with confident steps forward to his B-troika of influence (Beach Boys, Beatles, Big Star), the guitars continually jangle, the vocals affect, the polish of the arrangements enhance every moment of recorded, taking the listener to a journey of 'hopefulness'. A personal testament of immediate pop innovation that will grab you right out of the gate.