Band's album showcases sounds
of New Zealand
 By
Nate Cross
Staff Writer
Most Americans know little about the music that
comes out of New Zealand, but Garageland is aiming to change that.
"Do What You Want" is the band's forthcoming album
on Foodchain Records. Anyone looking for a Pixies-meet-Pavement album
has found it.
In fact, Garageland is an appropriate name for
the band because they sound like a mature, studio-produced version of
a teen-age band playing in a parent's garage.
"Do What You Want" succeeds because of the harmonies
and hooks of singer/guitarist Jeremy Eade and the simple, often overlooked
percussion of Andrew Gladstone that make all 13 tracks bounce along
on a carefree, musical ride. Solid guitar licks from backing members
Andrew Claridge and Mark Silvey fit well with the songs.
The disc opener, "Love Song," is carried by whiny
guitar riffs that sound like something Weezer may have left off of its
self-titled album. It's a track where, looking at the title, one might
expect nice acoustic strumming, but instead there are power chords and
just the right amount of plastic white key action to balance the guitar
and make the song bounce.
"Jean" and "You Will Never Cry Again" both have
a good deal of guitar work but not so much so as to annoy the listener.
These song lyrics, like others on the album, aren’t great, but
at the same time, they don’t take away either.
The best track on "Do What You Want" is "Trashcans,"
which is similar to Easter basket candy. Although listeners may not
want to, they'll just keep going back for more. The guitar work in "Trashcans"
builds like the ocean, slowly swelling and crashing. Eade sings, "Why
do you sing that song that goes on and on and on and on?" These are
ironic lyrics considering the fact that the listener will probably play
this song repeatedly.
"What You Gonna Do?" is the most solid track on
the album. It sums up the record by possessing everything Garageland
was looking for: appealing vocals, nice guitar work that's not repetitious,
safe alternative rock melodies and the mass appeal that comes from that
combination.
Initially, "Do What You Want" sounds
like it was pressed out of a rock 'n' roll mold heard too many times.
But after a few plays, it begins to grow on the listener. Simple production
effects such as an accompanying piano melody or background vocals begin
to stand out and make the record better each time through.
Garageland's "Do What You Want" may not bridge
the long musical gap between New Zealand and the United States, but
it sure does a good job trying to give Americans a taste of Kiwi.
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