The Have: The Have

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald rating: * * *)

This is the debut mini album from the seemingly on-a-fast-track-to-somewhere Wanganui-bred teenage quartet, whose definitive article and live shows have invited comparisons to the Datsuns and the D4.

There's much evidence of that live fire among the seven tracks, along with a suspicion that they are more singing the young-man-with-old-man's-record-collection-blues - admittedly loud and fast - than riding the garage-rock wave. But all that machine gun drumming, quickfire guitar solos, and admirably bolshie attitude can't quite replace the need for more memorable songs.

The Fuzz is enjoyable for its Motorhead-paced slice of manic boogie; likewise Right On does big things with some AC/DC spare parts, and Out of Reach has the temerity to shout "rock'n'roll" at the end of its 60s-inspired sprint through the riffs and gets away with it.

As the name suggests the Have are comfortable with the past tense. But they sure can let rip. Pub rock was always going to get younger and faster when they lowered the drinking age, wasn't it?

Label: Shock