All minor key melodies and tinkling pianos, this is the sound of Eskimo Joe expanding their horizons and going global. With the songs “New York” and “London Bombs” referencing places far and wide, it’s clear that Black Fingernails Red Wine is going to expand the Perth three-piece’s horizons beyond these shores.

But, really, that was part of the charm of both Girl and A Song is a City – inspired by the formation then demise of frontman Kav Temperley’s relationship with the girl in question, the songs on both were framed by their Fremantle surroundings. They were also drenched in feeling; indeed, it was the stark emotional nakedness found in the group’s sophomore album that made it such a compelling listen.

By comparison, Black Fingernails Red Wine is far more universal and all the weaker for it. Where the songs on A Song is a City resonated, really only “Sarah” packs a similar emotional punch. Songs like “Breaking Up” and the edgy Cure-like “Forever Young”, which save for its familiar title might otherwise be a monster single, are strong, while the single from whence the album name comes is a solid INXS-like number. But, elsewhere, the likes of “This is Pressure” and “Beating Like a Drum” are weak in comparison.

Black Fingernails Red Wine frustrates because of these inconsistencies. What was so good about its two predecessors is that they advanced the Eskimo Joe sound, pushing it in directions it had not previously gone. By comparison, this third album is more about positioning Eskimo Joe in the mainstream as the likely Coldplay-alike group, particularly so on the arena-ready “London Bombs”. There’s no doubting that Black Fingernails Red Wine is set to move Eskimo Joe into the upper echelons of Australian bands, but at what cost?