MINISNAP: Bounce Around | christchurchmusic.org.nz

MINISNAP Bounce Around (Mushroom) ****1/2

minisnap bounce around cover Local group Minisnap is the songwriting showcase for Kaye Woodward (vocals, guitar) along with fellow Bats, Paul Kean (bass, guitar), Malcolm Grant (drums) and The Undercurrents' Marcus Winstanley on guitar. This is a gorgeous collection of pop songs, so bright and fresh you can practically see them sparkle like actors' teeth on toothpaste commercials.

Woodward has an intriguing voice; for some it is an acquired taste. I find the tiny imperfections endearing - she sounds real and vibrant. Accompanied by dizzying layers of guitars, keyboards and even a charango, this is simply a joy to listen to. It does make me want to Bounce Around but in an "I'm so happy I can't sit still" sort of way. I didn't expect to like this as much as I have.

The artwork is from a print by Michael Morley (the Dead C) which he's given Minisnap permission to use. A copy has been hanging on the wall in Woodward's and Kean's living room wall for 20 years; they've always wanted to use it as a CD cover. Recorded, mixed and mastered in Kean's home studio - with a few borrowed microphones from Rob Mayes at Failsafe - it's been a long process. Two years, in fact. During that time they've also released The Bats at the National Grid album, toured the US, recorded with the Archers (Hamish Kilgour and his partner Lisa Seigal together with partners Woodward and Kean - EP out soon), recorded six songs with Ladybird from France which form a chunk of their new album, recorded 15 new tracks for the next Bats' album due for release in March.

Highlights here are New Broom (John Chrisstoffels has made a video, see it at wvw.thebats.co.nz), Wintersweet; Crooked Mile and In A Dream. Pure pretty pop with passion. Hear Ladybird with Minisnap when they perform at the Dux de Lux on, appropriately, Valentine's Day (February 14).

Vicki Anderson (The Press, Fri 25th Jan 2008)
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Saturday, January 19, 2008
Minisnap

Do you love Flying Nun Records, the classic New Zealand label who brought the likes of The Clean, The Verlaines and The Chills to the world? Well, I sure do, and you sure will once you watch the film clip to one of my favourite, favourite songs - "Death and The Maiden" by The Verlaines.

Anyway, I am digressing in a big way. I mention Flying Nun because one of my favourite bands off said record label is The Bats, and now there's a side project to The Bats called Minisnap.

From what I can gather, this is effectively The Bats without Robert Scott, and it's the vehicle for bringing Bats guitarist Kaye Woodward's songs to the world. I've been listening to these songs all night and I'm just in love with them - they're literate, warm and jangly, which is everything that made Flying Nun bands so legendary back in the 80s. Kaye's vocals are lovely - so mature and self-confident, but never betraying her femininity. It's like those girls from Look Blue Go Purple, another bunch of Flying Nun stalwarts who embodied that classic NZ sound.

I've never been to New Zealand, but I believe Christchurch is about as close to being in the United Kingdom without actually going there. In listening to Minisnap, I feel as though I could be listening to any band that's stepped out of Glasgow in the past 15 years. I've said it repeatedly, but all these cold climates seem to produce the prettiest songs. Having never lived in a cold city, I wouldn't know what it's like or what triggers it, but please, keep the songs coming. I could drive down highways all day listening to "Innocent" or "In My Pocket" and wouldn't tire of it.

Minisnap's new album "Bounce Around" comes out on Monday - add it to your lists!

****1/2
“This is a gorgeous collection of pop songs, so bright and fresh you can practically see them sparkle ... dizzying layers of guitars, keyboards and even a charango, this is simply a joy to listen to ... Pure pretty pop with passion.”
Vicki Anderson, The PRESS. 25/01/2008

“I've been listening to these songs all night and I'm just in love with them - they're literate, warm and jangly, which is everything that made Flying Nun bands so legendary back in the 80s.”
http://alex-loves.blogspot.com/

“Charming, melodic and upbeat pop that will bring sunshine to your ears.”
www.nzmusic.com
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Buy Minisnap's Bounce Around album at:
smokecds.com
amplifier.co.nz

For more on Minisnap check out Chart Featured Artist or www.myspace.com/minisnap thebats.co.nz