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Melodic pop confections from New Zealand that melt in your ears, not in your hands. Standouts include “Thing Well Made,” “Dominion Road,” “Nature,” “While You Sleep,” and “She’s Been Talking.” Vastly underrated.
The ex-Mutton Birds leader’s debut solo album is meticulously arranged and the lyrics ooze honesty and gravitas. Key tracks: “This is London,” “Toy Factory Fire” and “I Will Not Let You Down.”
Wow. Psych-pop that strongly evokes the Sixties yet still sounds new and fresh.
Best for Love/Arthur Lee completists. Only 5000 copies of this three-disk set were made and fewer than 150 copies remain available. This includes the okay studio albums Out Here and False Start and a 1970 show in England. There are gems to be had—“Listen to My Song,” “Willow Willow,” “I Still Wonder” and “Gather ‘Round”—but this is by no means where Love neophytes should start. Better to go to any of Love’s first four albums, especially the immortal Forever Changes. Also, it was great to hear the 1970 show, but Love’s concerts from 2002 on were far more exciting (hint: check out the Forever Changes Live DVD).
Almost two decades on, this post-punk effort from Lincoln, Nebraska still sounds fresh, due largely to great guitar work and Jeffrey Runnings’ heartfelt singing.
The silly/serious group has a winner in this five song EP.
Electronica done extremely well, unlike much in the genre that lacks heart. Hypnotic but never boring.
The sprawling record tilts, turns and threatens to unravel but stays together. Like For Against’s December, this still sounds good almost two decades on.
Though not one of NR’s best, this still serves up some high energy sparklers, including “Treason,” “Understand?,” “Wonder Beer” and “Never Follow.”
Jazz-rock fusion in full bloom care of John McLaughlin and co.
