Astralwerks
2007
Shocking Pinks
About This Album
As Shocking Pinks, Christchurch, New Zealand's Nick Harte released three albums in two years. The first, 2004's Dance the Dance Electric, got him noticed by DFA Records; Mathematical Warfare and Infinity Land were both issued by the legendary Kiwi label Flying Nun in 2005. Songs from these later albums make up Shocking Pinks, Harte's DFA debut, which is unexpected, considering that Harte's debut album was more eclectic and electronic -- more in keeping with the DFA's previous output, in other words -- while his Flying Nun albums owe more of a debt to that label's classic bands and My Bloody Valentine's abrasive pop instincts. Only "Cutout"'s hypnotic groove and the moody, percussive "Smokescreen" hint at any dance leanings (ditto for the remixes by heavy-hitters such as Eluvium and the Glimmers on the singles leading up to Shocking Pinks' release). The rest of the comp shows off Harte's way with love songs that are heartbroken, aloof, and even a little arrogant. "This Aching Deal," "End of the World," and "Second Hand Girl" are full of confessions and recriminations tucked safely away in blankets of distortion and tape hiss.
Track List (try tracks 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 and 13)

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