When it comes to The Parlotones I've been there from the beginning.

I've stood in empty clubs watching them play thankless gigs to drunk people in small parts of town. It takes balls of steel and an almost unnerving perseverance to survive this long in the South African music industry and to become as successful as The Parlotones have.

Like an unexplained phenomenon, a bit part in the X-Files of Africa, four make-up wearing, skinny-panted white rock boys have quite literally won the hearts of South Africa.

Their brand new album ? 'Stardust Galaxies' ? has gone Gold in one week of release. This, if you know anything about the SA music scene, is an almost unbelievable feat. Their CD has been flying off the shelves like some weird sort of never ending gobstopper from Willy Wonka's store. They beat international artists like Michael Buble and David Guetta to the top of the charts in shops like Musica and Look and Listen. Everybody wants a piece.

I, for one, know why.

The top of Kilimanjaro

I sensed the chemistry all those years back, when a sound like this was still an alternative one for the people of SA. This, their official third album (although they've released a couple of limited edition EPs and unofficial collections), feels like the top of Kilimanjaro, after years of treading, and months of dreaming.

They've also just finished a world tour, culminating in sell out headlining gigs at the Coca Cola Dome in Joburg, and Grand West Arena in Cape Town ? a warming and brilliant achievement which has never been achieved by a white South African rock band.

Dare I say they're even bigger here than bands like The Killers. Sure, the Americans can sell out two shows, in a snap, but if they were to remain on the circuit, gigging monthly, I'm sure the attendance would wane. Not something that has ever happened to The Parlotones. Their shows continue to be sold out successes across the country, and the same fans come back over and over again.

In a country where support for local groups is usually minimal, The Parlotones have achieved the unachievable.

I can understand why though. There are some SA and international bands who will never manage to write even one song as good as the 12 on 'Stardust Galaxies'. Lead singer Kahn Morbee has this uncanny ability to write melodies that stick ? melodies that crawl under your skin and make you feel lighter, happier, and more alive. This is, after all, what it's all about.

Ethereal themes

The first single, 'Push Me To The Floor', is already a chart topper on most radio stations, and a brain-sticker. The production this time around is bigger, better and louder. Its otherworldly ethereal themes are haunting in their magnificence, and each chorus a sweeping eulogy to the level this band have reached. The lyrics, although not devoid of the odd cliche, are fresh faced and optimistic, without being too sweet.

That's the beauty of a Parlotones song. They're wide-open anthems that will get you off your cynical ass and on top of the tables ? shaking your fist in the air, and singing at the top of your lungs. They make you feel free ? out of this world. Kahn's fascination with dancing ? as he sings "daancing" ? is contagious and innocent, with an open-hearted look at the woes and woos of love, and life. One listen to 'We Call This Dancing' and you'll want to be.

It's a brilliant ode to life and passion with Kahn offering: "Bursting out of our skins our hearts exploding, escape from this life, we call this dancing."

Spotted with anthem after anthem, 'Stardust Galaxies' is an album of positivity in a climate where reality can all too often get the better of us. All so true in 'Fly To The Moon': "Fairytales all tell a lie, in real life the good guys die, let's go somewhere safe, to outer space, let's climb to the moon. I have no desire for truth, no longer watch the gloomy news, feed me fantasy, so I'll believe."

An incredible album, filled with all the things that make your heart leap. There are no stand-out tracks on this album ? because every song is a stand-out. A glorious, uplifting, liberating and dynamic release from a band who are not just South Africa's favourites, but soon, the world's.

As it ends, in a haunting duet with Freshlyground's Zolani Mohala, I'm left feeling oddly emotional, proud and in the mood to dance.

We need something to hope for, to feel connected to and, for this small moment in time, this is what The Parlotones are doing for the people of South Africa.

Have you heard the album? Massive fan of The Parlotones, or not so much? Speak your mind!