Your Say: The Best New Zealand Releases from 2007
15.11.07
What are your picks for the best New Zealand releases this year?
Michaela:
Shapeshifter - Shapeshifter Live
Epsilon Blue - Are We There Yet?
Pitch Black - Rude Mechanicals
The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending
Various Loop Select 008: Rare Vision
Cornerstone Roots - Free Yourself
Stephen:
1. The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending
2. The Brunettes - Structure And Cosmetics
3. Disasteradio - Visions
4. Dead C - Future Artists
5. Anika Moa - In Swings The Tide
6. Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning
7. Grand Prix - Terraplane Twilight
8. Janet Roddick, David Donaldson, Steve Roche, David Long, Chris O'connor, Jeff Henderson - The Songs Of Kurt Weil
9. The Shocking Pinks - Shocking Pinks
10. David Kilgour - The Far Now
Esther's Top 10 Live bands:
1. Kora
2. Shapeshifter
3. The Black Seeds
4. Salmonella Dub
5. Hollie Smith
6. dDub
7. Fat Freddys Drop
8. Concord Dawn
9. Sate of Mind
10.Cornerstone Roots
Musical Rant for this year... from Danny in CHC.
1.Awesome Feeling Compilation - Real Groove giveaway. I would have paid good money for this, but it was free with Real Groove magazine, celebrating NZ music month. A great time capsule as to the sound of early 2007. The lyrics to Bengal Lights 'pony prance' particularly entertaining. A great introduction to a number of bands that we will hopefully all hear more from. If I changed my name to Damien would the Gladeyes (Monika) come stalk me?
2.Beat Rythym Fashion - Bring Real Freedom. It was a long time coming. From the first song you are transported back to the more confusing times of the early 80's. These are songs to lose your thoughts in. Smooth, yet still angry. I hate to think how many hours Rob Mayes took to restore and remaster these tracks. The opening 'Turn of the Century' is a number that Joy Division would have been inspired by. There are no weak tracks here, and plenty of variety in the albums energy and style.
3.Chris Mathews and the Robot Monkey Ochestra - The Map of Love. Courageous stuff to battle with the poems of Dylan Thomas and then coerce the shotgun marraige to music. Throughout the CD you are haunted by the carousel of gloom, which threatens to stampede its way out of the shadows and through your head. Chris Mathews is back. Brilliance!
4.International Flannel - self titled, I think. Won this on Kiwi FM. Who are these guys? Never seen them play. One of the most diverse albums this year. 'I am so high' takes your mind on a tangent wondering what happened to the old dope heads from school, and how many times they have listened to 'dark side of the moon' since you last saw them. 'Sweet Sympathy' jumps you to Yorkshire at twilight - damp, dingy and brass bands creaking into the smog. In between are some great numbers - and some of the funniest, piss-take lyrics since the Johhnies.
5. Pine - 12 Hour Collision EP. The great thing about Pine is their ability to keep music simple. Don't know why, but their music always makes me think of Sesame Street. Tracks like 'Hosana' enlarge their established sound. 'Twelve Hour Collision' just hooks you, and is a welcome house guest in your head. This EP is a fine representation of a fine band who keeps the listener simply feeling good about life.
6. Tiki - Past, Present, Future. I do not know if I have ever experienced a song with as much energy as "Tangaroa", every time I listen to this number I get goose bumps. This album lets you experience a number of styles, the fusion of dub and D n' B works well at times. Other numbers are more laid back, the vocals of Fur Patrols' Julia Deans adds beauty to some of the less agressive numbers. A journey of styles and learning within the one CD.
7. AMPERZAHN - theSE CREaTures EP. Here's one that reflects the sometimes overlooked abilty of the girls in local music. Stunning vocals from Kristie Addison, who also wrote the songs. A voice that isn't quite gothic in its crystal like intensity, but a voice that would be home at the 'La Sagrada Familia' (for those of us who have been fortunate enough to visit Barcelona). Compliments to Michelle Klaessens at The Rockfactory for a fine mastering job.
8. SJD - Songs from a Dictaphone. Always takes me a couple of listens to determine that, yes, this is as good as his previous release. Sean Donnelly continues in his craft, sensitive vocals weaved into ballads. Again we have atmospheric tunes that are more cleansing than any new Dettol disinfectant spray. And have I mentioned Gospel? The lyrics appear to have a greater meaning with this latest release, SJD brings redemption.
9. Cut Off Your Hands - Blue on Blue EP. For a moment I think of 'the Smiths' - then I get over it. A great sampling of new kiwi pop with an edge. I challenge you to watch these guys live and try not to sing along. Contagious little ditties that reflect the longing for future love and infatuation, the dream for women whose images exist solely on the pedestal in your mind.
10. The Electric Confectionaires - Sweet Tooth. I don't like 70's inspired rock, therefore I won't like theses geezers. Wrong! Their music is too good not to listen to - maybe I'll only listen to this CD in private. 'All My Love' sent me searching for my stackies, a stomping good number. 'Sweet Tooth' has you expecting the arrival of Austin Powers. 'Late Night Shopping Spree' takes me to the 'Cheers' bar... where everyone knows your name! 'Mr Whippy" has more organ than me old mate Johnny. One to play once you are wearing your dad's 'gold medalions', and your mums 'glue on hairy chest'.
Paul: (NZ Music Show, Radio Control 99.4FM, Palmy Nth)
Tiki - Past, Present, Future
Young Sid - The Truth
Hollie Smith - Long Player
Various - It's A Monster! Breakinwreckwordz Vol 2
Kora - Kora
Cut Off Your Hands - Blue On Blue
Adi Dick - Our Place
Pitch Black - Rude Mechanicals
Bleeders - Bleeders
Olmecha Supreme - Life Muscle
Stephen:
1 The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending
2 The Brunettes - Structure & Cosmetics
3 Disasteradio - Visions
4 Dead C - Future Artists
5 Anika Moa - In Swings The Tide
6 Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning
7 Grand Prix - Terraplane Twilight
8 Janet Roddick, David Donaldson, Steve Roche, David Long, Chris O'Connor, Jeff Henderson - The Songs Of Kurt Weil
9 Shocking Pinks - Shocking Pinks
10 David Kilgour - The Far Now
Hannah:
1 - Streetwise Scarlet - Don't Say I'm Easy
2 - Flight Of The Conchords - Complete First Radio 2 Series
3 - Flight Of The Conchords - The Distant Future EP
5 - 48May - Streetlights & Shadows
6 - Mumsdollar - Hope For The Hopeless
7 - Motocade - Into The Fall
8 - Deja Voodoo - The Devil Dared Me To – OST
9 - Minuit - Except You Remixes
10 - Antagonist – Distance
Alastair:
Shaun K Anderson - The Stand Sure Oak
Age Pryor - Shanks' Pony
Matt Langley - Lost Companions
Anji Sami - The El Dorado EP
Charlie Ash - Can Can
Luke Hurley - The Best of 1981-2006
Tim Guy - Hummabyes
Motocade - Into The Fall
Ragamuffin Children - Werecat Lullabies
The Brunettes - Structure & Cosmetics
Esther:
1) The Enright House - A Maze And Amazement
2) OdESSA - The Prize
3) SJD - Songs from a Dictaphone
4) Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning
5) Surf City - Surf City EP
6) Jakob - Solace - Double LP
7) The Sneaks - The Sneaks
8) Disasteradio - Visions
9) So So Modern - Friendly Fires
10) The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending
Dubhead:
1. Katchafire - Say What You're Thinking
2. Kora - Kora
3. Unity Pacific - Into The Dread
4. Three Houses Down - Dreadtown
5. Cornerstone Roots - Free Yourself
6. Various - Conscious Roots 3
7. Salmonella Dub - Heal Me
8. Pitch Black - Rude Mechanicals
9. Tiki - Past, Present, Future
10. International Observer - Heard
Honorable mentions;
P-Bass Expressway - Snag Bag
Tahuna Breaks - Reflections
Batucada Sound Machine - Rhythm & Rhyme
The Retainers - 1000% Mad Music
Various - It's A Monster! Breakinwreckwordz Vol 2
Send your top 10 picks to editor@amplifier.co.nz and we'll include them here.
