Self made man J Walker aka Machine Translations is becoming one of Australia's indie success stories. It's nothing if not deserved.

Beginning with 1997's home recorded gem Abstract Poverty to 2002's acclaimed-and-still-home-recorded Happy, the music of Machine Translations has evolved in many ways, yet it has always remained true to it's original form: skewed and engaging pop music, filled with twists and turns, new and old sounds cleverly arranged and disguised. Fans old and new have been repeatedly charmed with irresistibly catchy radio hits “Poor Circle” from 2001's Bad Shapes, “She Wears a Mask” and “Amnesia” from Happy, and have come to love every gratuitous guitar solo, electronic squawk, fake flute and eastern wig-out Walker and his camp can throw at them.

Late 2003 the band released the Love on the Vine EP, containing the unforgettable track of the same name. Machine Translations' sixth album Venus Traps Fly, released in May 2004, contains “Love on the Vine” and much more.

Venus Traps Fly is packed with unforgettable tracks as a matter of fact. “Bee in a Cup” lures the listener in with a bit of a strum, a vocal, a light touch violin, but by the end that bee wants out, make no mistake. On “Simple Life” the sassy guest vocalist Clare Bowditch shares singing duties with J.Walker in a demented cha cha. Title track “Venus Traps Fly” flashes us a Cheshire Cat smile with it's puzzling lyrics and teasing rhythms. “Scretch” simply rocks --you'll see. “Not My Fall” and “Stray Dog” highlight Walker's first-rate songwriting talent. “Twilit” is a lovely piano and strings instrumental, and “If the Water Runs Dry” is a pastoral, of sorts.

Overall this album has an earthier feel than the previous release, and there's rather a lot of guitar playing, and indeed, even a fair sprinkling of piano playing. Fear not however, there is still much of the weird and curious about this record - unhinged Chinese violins and gongs, tortured dulcimers and ethereal voices and even flutes are much in evidence.

Guest appearances On venus traps fly are by members of the Machine Translations live band, Sodastream, King Curly, and tourmate Clare Bowditch.