NEW TELEPATHICS: Rudiments and Theory of Silence

By Jacob Connor

The New Telepathics is a revolving door collective comprised of research agents assisting multi-instrumentalist songwriter Darryn Harkness. Harkness has a background involving Braintree, Spacesuit and Dead Flowers. The current group celebrates a decade of existence with this release and Harkness’ Our Records label has been operating since 2004. Recorded and mixed over a six day session in April ’08, the music has three strands: guitar-based grunge pop, afrobeat/jazz and dreamy singsong. Harkness cites Sun Ra and Fela Kuti as influences and I can hear touches of Violent Femmes, Morphine and Pluto. It’s a disservice to condense such a wide-ranging and varied palette to a pull quote though. You Have Been Warned has saxophonist Chris Williams heading into outer space and elsewhere wild jazz excursions counterpoint Harkness’ smooth multitracked vocals. The assembled agents display a good deal of dexterity and finesse, serving up a smorgasboard of strong and interesting flavours.

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NZ Musician

June/July 2009