Although many New Zealanders have a sombre, brooding edge about them, songwriter Graeme Downes of The Verlaines is one of the darkest artists in the kiwipop canon. This songs are tightly wound and densely crafted, packed with modern compositional theory that goes far past the conventional 4/4 rock thing. I have to confess, although his early albums rank among some of my favorite NZ pop, several albums in I found myself unable to keep track of his work. When I do listen to them, his later records are always highly rewarding, yet they require a fair amount of active listening. Y'all brainiacs out there, pay heed: this is a guy to keep on your indiepop radar.
The Verlaines "You're Just Too Obscure for Me" (Flying Nun Records, 2007)
Hell, yeah.
The Verlaines "10 O'Clock In The Afternoon" (Flying Nun Records, 1984)
The makings of a legend, a five song EP that captures doleful, dejected, delirious angst, restlessness, ennui, and all them other wistful, trapped-indoors-on-a-rainy-day feelings. The title track crystallizes all of the above in one wonderfully mopey moment.
The Verlaines "Juvenilia" (Flying Nun Records, 1988)
Their classic album -- collects the tracks from the 10 O'Clock EP along with several other real winners. Everybody's favorite is, of course, "Death And The Maiden," with its irresistible singalong chorus, "Verlaine, Verlaine, Verlaine, Verlaine, Verlaine, Verlaine..." HIGHLY recommended.
The Verlaines "Hallelujah All The Way Home" (Homestead Records, 1985)
The Verlaines "Bird-Dog" (Homestead Records, 1987)
The Verlaines "Some Disenchanted Evening" (Homestead Records, 1990)
The Verlaines "Way Out Where" (Slash Records, 1993)
Graeme Downes "Hammers And Anvils" (Matador, 2001)
After an eight year hiatus, songsmith Downes shows that he is still in fine form, as dark-toned and intense as ever. He can still pull a jangle or two out of his pocket, but this is mostly very dense, rather pessimistic material, rough-hewn, highly individual and pleasantly grating rock balladry. Fans of Mark Eitzel, perhaps, might want to check this one out. Amazing that this seems to have been Downes' only solo album.
The Verlaines "Potboiler" (Flying Nun Records, 2007)
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