Nudie Suits: Songbook

Reviewed by RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald rating: * * * )

The debut album by Auckland trio the Nudie Suits delivers an entertaining line in junkstore country-damaged pop.

Recorded in lo-fi splendour with "a Marantz EC1 condenser microphone that cost my grandfather $14.95 in 1978 from Farmers department store", says the liner notes, and festooned with cooling harmonies, Tam Taylor's violin, and Dionne Taylor's steel guitar, it certainly exudes the vintage charm and warm glow of an antique valve radio. Though it probably uses less electricity.

Frontman-guitarist-pianist Mark Lyons invokes the spirits of Johnathan Richman, the Violent Femmes' Gordon Gano and sometimes Edwyn Collins in his wobbly delivery.

His lyrics ride a fine line between folksy front porch ramblings which are a snug fit, the group's twang theory and amusing nonsense about mobile book-lenders (Travelling Library), dreams of a musical Mecca (Hasten Down to Music City), and that old-time religion (Holy Ghost in the Back of You). Toe-tapping throughout, yes, but in a very offbeat kind of way.

(Lil Chief Records)