Search - The Cops :: 80 in the shade

Quality album from NZ rock royalty

J. Chambers | Auckland, New Zealand | 10/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album represents the third excellent release from 'Dimmer'; Shayne Carter's production vehicle (New Zealand musician and ex-Straightjacket Fits frontman). Carter is the only full time memeber of the 'band' utilising the talents of other prominent NZ musicians to create and produce the music.



'Dimmer's' first release "I Believe you are a Star" was a brooding, intricate piece of contemporary rock/electronica. His second "You've got to Hear the Music" quite rightly won New Zealand album of the year. It was an outstanding album relying slightly more on organic instrumentation; again accompanied by Carter's sensual vocals and the judicious use of computer programming.



"There My Dear" sees the pendulum swing even further towards a straight up 'band' sound with vocals, guitars and drums the mainstay here. The songs are well crafted, spacious, melodic and definitely reward repeated listening. The angst ridden powercord epic "Scrapbook" interrupts proceedings half way through and drips with emotion on it's extended conclusion. Note should also be made of the haunting backing vocals provided by Bic Runga and Anika Moa.



Carter continues to demonstrate an ability to capture a mood and focus it producing an album of almost palpable emotion and heart ache. Highly recommended quality piece of New Zealand music."

Dimmer continues to shine brightly

Pastor of Disaster | Wexford, Ireland | 05/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What made the Straitjacket Fits one of the best bands ever heard? The musical brilliance of Shayne Carter and Andy Brough. Broughs sensitive, melodic, shimmering pop sensibilities against Carters raw, experimental, in your face attitude and sublime song writing skills. Brough distilled his talent beautifully in "Take in the Sun", whilst Carter mellowed producing two laid back gems, I "Believe You are a Star" and "You`ve Got to Hear the Music". Thats not to say his splenetic side disapeared, and "There My Dear" perhaps represents the closest to classic Fits yet from Dimmer. This is such an honest album fuelled by emotion, love and loss. Carter himself was kind enough to pass a few thoughts to me on how the album was written and how the process revealed a side to him that in other cicumstances he might have hidden. For me, Scrapbook represents the highnote, full of white knuckle, jaw clenching hurt and anger. You cant but admire the honesty of it because it is obviously so raw. We`ve all felt like that sometimes, but not often would we be able to bare ourselves so openly. This isnt another Hail or Melt, but Carter always demands you listen to him, and so we should."