
VARIOUS: Area 07: A Compilation of Hamilton Music
By Kiran Dass
Hamilton music has pretty much operated independently from the 'scene' in Auckland or elsewhere, and as a result has often produced music that is truly unique and interesting, including Book of Martyrs, Crown of Wild Myrtles, Pumice and Wendyhouse. The diversity of genres represented on 'Area 07' is encouraging but more in the way of liner notes would have been appreciated to provide band information and give a context to the music. I'd love to hear more of The Gills - Through the Stars recalls the chiming guitars of Flying Nun bands like The Bats. Toe Tag Point by Hollow Grinders is a blistering surf-guitar track, 7 Years by 4 Second Fuse is a goodie, and the progressive, post-hardcore of This Night Creeps' Course Four proves they were the most interesting band in New Zealand exploring this kind of dynamic music. The haunting and glacial synthpop of Luna Spark's All Your Rights Are Belong to Us is lovely too, with laconic, plaintive vocals. Go listen.
Related Information