Emerging local New Zealand musician Matt Bodman caught my attention and his album displays good songwriting and talented musicianship that deserves to be noticed. After performing in local punk bands, Matt and his buddies Nate Smith and Matt Beckett got together to form the Valentine Grind’s debut. The opener “Better Off” leads with horns and Bodman’s earnest vocals, a little like Ben Folds or Josh Fix. The chorus is a memorable ascending scale that grows on you like moss. “My Head Again” is an 80’s styled pop tune that cleverly describes the frustration of infatuation, with a great repeating outro. A true gem here is the ballad “Hamilton Gardens” with gentle piano chords and floating harmonies in the chorus. Influenced by Randy Newman are the sad ballads like “Clementine” and “When I Burn” focused on relationship misery. The tenor percussion of “I Shot A Man,” “I Love New York” and barber shop quartet harmonies of “Join The Line” recall the late band Fluid Ounces. Another standout here is the hopeful “Light” that starts slow and builds till we get to the richly melodic chorus. All the tracks here are good slice of life pop that will not disappoint.
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