New Zealand’s, Shocking Pinks have just released their first album since signing up with DFA records. The result is a mixture of tracks from previous records - Dance the Dance Electric and Mathematical Warfare which were both NZ only releases.
This self titled, stateside effort isn’t what you’d generally expect from a group looking to branch out and ‘crack the market’ as it were. In cases such as this production value is usually upped ten fold. The tracks are tight and fast paced, making a real effort to prove what it is they’re all about.
Shocking Pinks, it’s safe to say, haven’t taken this particular route. In fact they’ve almost done the exact opposite. The album, for the most part, sounds like a bedroom recorded demo. Rough not only around the edges but all they way through. And I for one could not love it more.
There is something so refreshing and energising about this record. It’s full of flaws. With imperfections and loose ends visible at every turn, but to me that’s what makes it great.
Front man, and only consistent member, Nick Harte at times seems so lost that it’s not only difficult to tell where his music is headed but also where it’s been.
The somewhat chaotic and unpredictable sound is littered with signposts alone the may marking out Harte’s influences. Most noticeably My Bloody Valentine of whom he is a self confessed fan but I also find a real Joy Division/The Jesus And Mary Chain type vibe seeping in at odd intervals.
The album, despite it’s 17 tracks, runs a surprisingly short 45 minutes. However, a great deal happens in that short amount of time, with the sound being anything but uniform.
The standouts for me would have to be ‘This Aching Deal’, ‘End of the World’ and the mellow, ‘Girl on the Northern Line’.
This unpredictable and eclectic album would be a welcome addition to any indie/post punk fans record collection.
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