KEY POINTS:
The Sneaks are not for boring old farts, rock posers, or anyone who takes themselves seriously. Since their bNet win in 2005 for most promising act, plus two naughty EPs and a legion of playful gigs, they've become known for a quality rare in New Zealand music: fun.
Their debut album doesn't disappoint on that front, with jangly pop songs like Throwback, I'm Lame and Scenester, songs brimming with a positivity that is infectious without being goody-goody.
That's partly thanks to singer James Dansey's loopy singing style, proudly Kiwi accent, and lyrics that extol everything from drinking too much to slutty public transport users. Add their doo-wop backing vocals, 50s-style handclaps and the kitsch, spacey effects care of the Casiotone and it's hard not to giggle (ironically or not) at their retro-fuelled humour, particularly the gothic Cindy's A Zombie.
Meanwhile Daniel Ward's frantic drumming and Martin Keane's 60s pop hooks and surf guitars give the Sneaks serious rock grunt. Passing Notes, for instance, is more in the spaz-pop spirit of the Mint Chicks.
The result is as exhausting as looking after a room full of sugar-fuelled kids. But when you've got as much personality as the Sneaks, you couldn't go for anything less.
Label: Border
Verdict: Black jeans not on the menu for Auckland spaz-rock trio
