DM3 - One Time, Two Times, Three Red Light

One Time Two Times Three Red Light is the definitive 1993 debut album by the Perth-based power pop trio DM3, published through Australia's esteemed independent imprint Citadel Records. After his highly celebrated tenures leading the garage-rock revival outfit The Stems and the jangly alternative band The Someloves, singer-guitarist Dom Mariani assembled a sleek new power trio featuring Pascal Bartolone on drums and Tony Italiano on bass. Desiring a beefier, punchier sonic identity, the group combined flawless 1960s-inspired vocal hooks with a raw, loud, and guitar-driven foundation. The resulting material caught the ear of legendary American producer Mitch Easter, who mixed the record and injected it with the vibrant, chiming alternative edge he famously brought to early R.E.M. releases.

The record earned widespread international critical acclaim upon arrival, quickly penetrating underground markets across Europe and the United States. Spearheaded by the razor-sharp riffs of their introductory single "Foolish", the album moves dynamically between breathless, high-tempo rock anthems and beautifully textured, jangling pop compositions. Lyrically, the album centers on classic themes of romantic disillusionment, self-reliance, and emotional frustration, all wrapped in flawless, infectious melodies. Decades down the line, One Time Two Times Three Red Light is revered by power pop purists worldwide as an absolute gold standard of the genre, marking the precise point where the sun-drenched Australian garage scene evolved into a lean, heavy-hitting powerhouse.

One Time Two Times Three Red Light is a masterclass in guitar-driven pop precision. Released in 1993, DM3’s debut arrived as a brilliant counterweight to the muddy, down-tuned grunge explosion dominating the global airwaves. Instead of wallowing in apathy, frontman Dom Mariani chose to champion the golden rule of rock songwriting: massive, indelible hooks delivered with a razor-sharp attitude. The record perfectly synthesizes the chiming, melodic structures of 1960s jangle-pop with a heavy, muscular rhythm section that gives the songs an undeniable live-wire punch. It stands as an incredibly confident debut, demonstrating a band that understands how to make guitars roar without burying the underlying melodic sweetness.

The true magic of the album lies in the brilliant sonic polish provided by American alternative icon Mitch Easter. His mixing style elevates the trio’s organic chemistry, ensuring that Mariani's blistering, soaring guitar solos are beautifully balanced against the driving, lock-step groove of Italiano and Bartolone. Opening tracks like "Like This" and the phenomenal, hard-charging single "Foolish" hit the listener with immediate, infectious energy. Easter even leaves his own instrumental stamp on the record, lending a brilliant electric sitar flourish to "Fall To Bits" and extra guitar work to the driving anthem "Take It All," seamlessly weaving an artsy, kaleidoscopic texture into the band's lean rock attack.

The second half of the record showcases a band fully capable of navigating different speeds and emotional shades without losing their pop focus. The absolute crown jewel of the back half is "1 Time, 2 Times Devastated," an epic, melancholy power pop masterpiece that features a truly scorching, emotional guitar solo from Mariani that ranks among the best of his career. Slower numbers like "Far From Here" and "Blue Thing" allow the band’s vocal harmonies to shine, evoking the sophisticated songwriting depth of Big Star or Velvet Crush. This impeccable pacing ensures that the album never feels like a repetitive collection of three-minute radio singles, but rather a beautifully coherent, full-length musical journey.

Decades removed from its release, One Time Two Times Three Red Light remains an untouchable pinnacle of international power pop. While the mainstream charts of the early 90s may have overlooked its brilliance, the record’s organic warmth, stellar musicianship, and flawless songwriting haven't aged a single day. It serves as a spectacular monument to the creative genius of Dom Mariani, a musician who has spent his life quietly perfecting the art of the perfect rock hook. For anyone eager to trace the roots of high-caliber Australian rock or looking for a record that masterfully bridges the gap between classic garage grit and pure pop bliss, this debut compilation remains an essential, exhilarating textbook.

Ripped to MP3

1. Like This

2. Foolish

3. Take It All

4. Far From Here

5. Blue Thing

6. Up In The Air

7. Fall To Bits

8. Bob

9. 180°

10. Be Yourself

11. 1 Time, 2 Times Devastated

12. I Don't Need You