Good Laika – Followed By A Trail Of Sparks (Isaac/Universal)

Author: stereonerd [30-05-2009 10:50]

There was a really fallow period a few years ago when every other New Zealand pop or rock recording gave the impression they had studied the machinations of the music industry really well, and carbon copied (mostly American) styles to try to find that elusive cross-over hit.

Thankfully, the artistic nadir reached during those years is now gone, and seemingly replaced by a surprising number of groups whose music may well be considered mainstream, but who also strive for some level of quality and originality.

Good Laika’s second album is essentially a collection of moody, introspective pop/rock. By focussing on core components – notably arrangements that are well thought out and sparingly applied – the songs become powerful and evocative.

The inevitable press release describes the group as “soul-rock”, but this is only evident on track 9 of the 12-track album, ‘Hats Off’, which is a nice wee diversionary tactic, a bit of soul-funk in amongst mostly simmering ballads and mood pieces like the awesome instrumental, ‘Kereru’s Flight’.

Good Laika choose to apply intelligence and good taste – and not a little imagination – to a genre that’s often devalued. Where a lesser band would have made this sound like jangly folk-rock, their approach is totally different.

I could be wrong in naming them as an influence, but Good Laika remind me a lot of Sneaky Feelings (that most unlike Flying Nun of Flying Nun bands) and at times, there’s a hint of the brooding intensity of Dimmer, and the softer Straitjacket Fits songs.

There’s a lot to recommend here: the singing (including harmony vocals that at times recall both the Beach Boys and The Beatles), their ear for a good riff (again, some of the riff patterning recalls late period Beatles and even King Crimson), the often wry lyrics, and their knack with surprise elements. What I mean by this is that just when a melody might start to sound a little too sweet, they’ll accompany this with a contrasting guitar line or organ sound.

It’s not perfect. A few of the tracks sound a little tentative… as though they ran out of studio time and had to rush it to a conclusion. Some people will also find its sustained low-key moodiness a little on the bleak side, but the upside is an album that has a certain consistency, and one you can put on and enjoy all the way through when you’re in the right frame of mind.

In short, Followed By A Trail Of Sparks is one of the best locally made albums I’ve heard all year, and despite it not being a genre that I generally subscribe to, I’ve found it drifting back onto my playlist, which is high praise indeed. GARY STEEL

Note: This album is due for release on July 6, 2009.

4 Stars