
Shaft: Open Sesame
By Richard Hobbs
One of Auckland's best kept secrets and a mainstay of the city's live music scene for as long as I can remember, Shaft finally bring us a long player courtesy, oddly, of pure pop label Lil' Chief Records, the label set up originally to release the Brunettes. Called 'Open Sesame' the album starts off sounding a lot like the Brunettes on Ginger Kisses before descending in a more typically Shaft-like maelstrom of rocking '70s/early '80s infused good times that makes you feel like you missed out on one great party. It's a mix of heavy and soft numbers, and I prefer the louder ones. Bob Cardy's vocals sound great, especially on the ballads Might as Well be Dumb, Livin' Pumpin' Heart, and the album's best song One of Many. There's even the old Donnas' song I Don't Wanna Rock'n'Roll Tonight. Well I do, and I choose Shaft.
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