Couchmaster

Timely delivery. Great quality. Everything was as advertised.

This, Couchmaster, is a terrific album, a really well crafted, non stop guitar, jangle-twang fest. It comes at you relentlessly, But probably less so energy wise and more atmospherically than before. Afternoon in Bed, Work it out, Land O lakes, Chain Home Low, it never ceases. With more intricate guitar parts than previously, sometimes a bit country, always pushing their barriers, but mostly great jangle guitar pop. Track 9 is "Shoeshine" and finally Kaye's lead vocal debut. Brilliant moody piece. The driving relentless "Just for the ride" just when you thought it couldn't get any better, but you know, its just the Bats doing what they've always done, but more mature and in better control of what they play. After all they're grown ups and they're even more relevant now, or is it just coincidence that I'm the same age?? Regardless, I firmly believe that the Bats are New Zealand's premium rock/alt/pop/whatever band. Absolutely brilliant, buy it and love it.

This album represents a real change for the Bats. Rather than the jangly pop sound so typical of the Bats on all their previous albums (and of other New Zealand bands like the Chills), this album is trancy and dreamy. But it still has some really good and catchy melodies at its core. And good lyrics too. It works really well. This should be of interest not only to fans of the Bats (and New Zealand Rock in general), but to those whose tastes run more towards American indie rock.