A Means to an End EP Review

There’s a lot of really good music around these days and if you want to stand out from the crowd, you need something new. That’s exactly what The Karrados are, right down to their original name. The highly anticipated ‘A Means to an End’ EP (available on CD and at iTunes) is the debut release from this Auckland based four-piece band.

The first track ‘Tall Poppy’ is a fast paced reminder of where NZ music originated. A huge guitar sound warps into crescendo, putting me on edge in a good way. Jordan Stokes on the drums switches from rock to skank like a machine and with precision timing from Leroy De Beer on the bass, both instruments sit nicely in the mix. After this intense track I was ready to chill out and the indie rock ballad ‘No More No Less’ delivered chill factor with its poignant sentiment and clever phrasing.

To say I liked this EP is an understatement. Although sticking to the three-chord garage aesthetic, there’s a rich and diverse musical aptitude going on, that has me looking forward to any future releases.  The song ‘Shame On Your House Tonight’ is a superb example of this. Musically it touches on feelings of angst and misfortune, but also has an uplifting and encompassing quality; which is exactly what good music should do.

‘The Mexican’ is a healthy jaunt into rockabilly crossed with alt rock derivatives as diverse as The Hoodoo Gurus and Husker Du. While retaining it’s Kiwi essence, the fifth and final track ‘Chivalry Blues’ makes me think the overall sound of The Karrados could foot it on the international scene. Astute guitar work by Martin Kavanagh and stand out vocals by Nigel Moore resonate with evocative and expertly conveyed meaning.

The polished recording and engineering work by Darren McShane at Earwig Studios, embraces The Karrados’ sound with warm technical brilliance. Performing tonight at a stereo near you, with all the musical cohesiveness you could ever want, this EP is a must have for your collection.