Mediocre psych-folk tune by Department of Eagles, Ladyhawke does 80's-pop proud, polished jazz-fusion from Dunedin-based Subject2change, The Datsuns continue with fine form, and the Constantines' hard-charged rock album that doesn't quite work without a stage.
3 stars (out of 5)
New Yorkers Fred Nicolaus and Dan Rossen (Grizzly Bear) lay the artiness on pretty thick on this melancholic collection of twisted psych-folk tunes.
Destinations reached via serpentine melodic paths are often unremarkable, despite points of interest along the way.
But there's a certain old-world charm to many of the tracks. Noises bounce around in cavernous reverb; multi-tracked vocals lend a ghostly feel to songs that ache with loss.
In Ear Park is an atmospheric, if slightly vague slow-burner for fans of idiosyncratic indie rock.
Single download: No One Does It Like You
For those who like: Beirut, Arcade Fire, M Ward
- Jeff Harford
3 stars (out of 5)
Kiwis are experts at trumping the latest retro fad. The Datsuns conquered London's garage fascination, and now Masterton's Pip Brown (aka Ladyhawke) has the Brits fawning over her curious mix of classic '80s electro-pop.
Critics seem intent on mining the Stevie Nicks similarity, but to these ears Brown's sultry voice is the perfect amalgam of our own Sharon O'Neill and Shona Laing.
Returning to her guitar roots, multi-instrumentalist Brown builds tunes layered on melodic single-note guitar lines, with a real skill in recording warm-sounding synths. She proves that not all '80s sounds were musical crimes.
Single download: My Delirium
For those who like: The current wave of '80s nostalgia
- Mark Orton
4 stars (out of 5)
Dunedin-based jazz-fusion supergroup Subject2change (previously known as Cambio) bring all their experience to the table on this sampler from a live show at Allen Hall.
With five Trevor Coleman originals and three choice covers, it's a highly polished selection that darts around the musical spectrum.
Coleman (keys, trumpet), Dan Bendrups (trombone), Rob Burns (bass), Nick Cornish (sax), David Harrison (guitar) and Paul McLennan-Kissel (drums) aren't afraid of mashing a little rock, funk and reggae into the Latin-based mix, for some tasty moments.
Hang-drum specialist Ian Chapman also appears.
Single download: subject2change#1
For those who like: Latin rhythms and fusion jazz
- Jeff Harford
4 stars (out of 5)
After being thrown headlong into the fickle UK music industry's garage-rock revival in 2001, The Datsuns displayed a maturity on 2006's Smoke and Mirrors that suggested the unrefined bombast of their self-titled debut was far behind them.
Headstunts continues in this vein, balancing the histrionics of a screaming Les Paul with the punk dynamics of The Ramones. Slide guitar, keyboards and tribal thumping tastefully accentuate Dolf de Borst's familiar howl.
The Cambridge four have thankfully made the transition to Nissan status, albeit in a supercharged Fairlady Z. The most assured set yet.
Single download: Eye of the Needle
For those who like: The Ramones, T Rex, Thin Lizzy, Sonic Youth, MC5
- Mark Orton
3 stars (out of 5)
The hard-charged rock here is something of an anomaly. Sure, there are moments where it's rootsy as, but it's simply too abrasive to dismiss as revivalism.
Even at its most generic, fourth LP Kensington Heights is never less than a racket.
Opener Hard Feelings, with its tightly-wound guitars, manic organ, and singer Bry Webb's urgent, angry vocals, is a perfect distillation of the group's MO, while Trans Canada is equally invigorating. Despite the energy, something seems to be missing.
This group needs a live audience. Their records don't quite replicate that atmosphere.
Single download: Hard Feelings
For those who like: Hard-charging rock with a bit of bite
- Matthew Littlewood
