Tim Guy: Blazey

Herald rating: * * *

Having shifted from Melbourne to Auckland to further his career, you might say Tim Guy is breaking with convention. Though his music doesn't.

It does a spare but sturdy and intimate line in guitar pop with alt-country/folk-rock trappings, a fetching mix, rustic as it is melodically enticing and sometimes lyrically intriguing.

Though the reasons for his immigration are apparent in the liner notes - Blazey was produced by Bic Runga (who sings and drums here alongside various Pluto-ites, among others) and is released on her own Nu Shoo label.

Though some songs can remind of fellow pop countryman Ben Lee, Guy also packs in some variety among the 10 tracks. That's whether it's the blues-stained opener Take You Down, the Jayhawks-like summer pop of In the News, shades of early Enz on the piano-driven Movie Stars, and the waltz-time duet of Question.

It holds together well, save for the falsetto goofiness of Grow or Strike too close to the Eels for comfort.

But Guy sure has his fair share of winning tunes. It might not make a dent in that NZ-Oz musical trade deficit, but it's a good start.

Label: Nu Shoo