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Supermodel - Rimu and Roses Album Review

11 Feb 2014 // A review by Kate Taylor

Splashing into your eardrums comes the delightful and welcomed Rimu and Roses by Supermodel; bringing a swag bag of 70s rock and starry eyed guitar and piano noodling to the party. I'm loathe to float comparisons to a band so magically ambitious in their own right, however it would be only fair to mention that sparkly big stadium feel that Muse and Queen have in spades. This would probably be due to the fact that world renowned producer, Reinhold Mack; of Queen, ELO, David Bowie and The Rolling Stones experience base, has danced his digits across the dials for this taut 12 track release. Mastered at Mack's Munich studios; the album was recorded in Christchurch at Quicksand Recording Studios as a follow up to Supermodel's well received 2011 effort, To the Mountains. All songs have been crafted by band captain Mark Hanify on; vocal, guitar, piano, synth, bass and percussive duties. It's a family affair with Rose Hanify also on vocals, piano and synths, with Janina Hanify on Clarinet; and regular members Michael White on bass and Tony Kemp on drums and percussion.

It's a rich musical ride, delivering on the sweeping and theatrical feel that was so steeped in the history of 70s theme albums with seemingly impossibly solos, progressions and breakdowns. Yet somehow, there's this modern sound peeping out at you from time to time; like that ultra-hip planed down feel of Grizzly Bear. Lyrically Rimu and Roses is positive and encouraging without resorting to bloated, indulgent whimsy - instead trading on the strength of making it through the everyday battles in life. No album that pays this much tribute to the foundations of rock gone by would be complete without a completely kickass album illustration in which the listener to gaze into for hours whilst listening to the music contained within. Rimu and Roses is no exception; with illustrator and industry heavyweight Matthew Rodgers contributing the eye candy - you've no doubt seen some of his other works; District 9, The Hobbit... and ...TinTin. Pure, fresh New Zealand rock we can all get behind.    

 

About Supermodel

Formed in 2006 and collectively lead by the clear-voiced, half-showtune/half-crooner informed vocal delivery of their charismatic lead singer/songwriter Mark Hanify, Supermodel is the most invigorating new melodic rock act to emerge out of Wellington, New Zealand in recent times.

Structured around comparable musical traditions to those existed within by the likes of Queen, Muse and The Strokes, Supermodel is a four-piece band made up of Mark on lead vocals/guitar, his sister Rose on keyboards, Michael White on bass and Tony Kemp on drums. All top-tier singers, Rose, Michael and Tony provide lush backing vocals, fleshing out Mark's melody and harmony centralised songwriting into powerfully vibrant stadium size arrangements. Lyrically dealing with the key themes of love and adversity, Supermodel make songs for soul searching. Emotive and moving, their music serves as a comforting reminder that more often then not, things will be alright.

All lifelong musicians, since inception, Supermodel have played support across the country to the crème de la crème of commercial acts in New Zealand, performing everywhere, from humble pubs in Wanganui to The cavernous TSB Arena in Wellington. Having opened for the likes of Midnight Youth, Gin Wigmore, The Feelers, Jonny Love, Frankie Stevens and Dane Rumble, Supermodel have entertained crowds of up to 15,000 at outdoor events such as The Jackson Street Fiesta, The Island Bay Festival and Toast Martinborough.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Supermodel

Releases

Rimu & Roses
Year: 2014
Type: Album
To The Mountains
Year: 2011
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape

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