 Powderfinger 's musical style includes hard rock and alternative music and , according to McFarlane , " the band made its mark with an earthy , blues @-@ based sound that combined soaring , 1970s @-@ influenced riff @-@ rock with 1990s studio technology . With the added textures of folk , country and a soulful groove , the band was able to head in any direction " . Nimmervoll acclaimed them as " one of Australia 's most popular radio @-@ friendly rock bands " which " produced music the rest of Australia embraced " . McFarlane was partially disappointed with their debut 1994 album Parables for Wooden Ears compared to their earlier EP Transfusion . Their 1996 album , Double Allergic , was " more self @-@ assured and textured " and " consolidated the band 's position at the forefront of the alternative rock scene " . It " revealed a significant shift towards accessible rock songs rooted in melodic grooves " according to Nimmervoll . 
