Auckland ciggy-punk bandits Rackets' latest release Walking The Skeleton is comprised of both new songs and old. Recorded with fabled New Zealand producer Bob Frisbee at the helm (Street Chant, Transistors), Walking The Skeleton hits the ground running continuing along the same Rackets’ trademark brand of tongue in cheek lo-fi pop-punk.
The album itself features all the elements you would expect from a Rackets release: catchy self-deprecating vocal hooks, insanely melodic riffs, and jocular yet somehow honest lyrics. With the biting guitar tones, infectious baselines and the three piece dynamic it’s easy to hear the influence of bands like McLusky, Pixies and Gang of Four (Not that Pixies or Gang of Four were three pieces). And on top of that, decades' worth of Flying Nun influence is present as well.
Rackets are certainly at the forefront of the grassroots New Zealand music movement putting out nearly 10 releases in just over five years, and organising ridiculously fantastic tours that push time frames to the limit (like this one, this one, and let's not forget this one). Their seemingly consistent stream of both hilariously and well produced music videos have been a constant barrage on the New Zealand music scene.
Walking The Skeleton is another consistent release from a band that just doesn’t seem stop, and they certainly shouldn’t. This latest record arrives on the scene and scabs a smoke off you, punches you in the dick, riiiight before it drags you into a frenzy that just won't let up.
