Dead Famous People: Ballet Boy (digital outlets)

For about 30 years we didn't heard anything from Dead Famous People who disappeared off to London in the Eighties . . . and then in 2020 their debut album “Harry” appeared on Britain's Fire label, delivering a glistening collection of joy-filled Seventies power pop and straight-ahead Sixties jangle-pop.

Singer-songwriter Dons Savage must have been cheered by the critical reception “Harry” received because here – with almost indecent haste given the decades it took for their debut to appear – is an equally fine sophomore album.

It too is full of memorable songs (with real tunes) like the twanging 1965 sound of Home is Where You Are, the catchy Come Back Liar with vocal harmonies (“I found the note there on the table . . . honey will you please come back”), the powered-up Teenage World which celebrates those annoying years (“get out, get out of my room”) and . . .

So much more.

Located somewhere between classic Beat-pop, the best of early Flying Nun and the college radio sound of REM, the Smiths and American power-pop, Savage/DFP make good on the promise of “Harry” on songs which have real heart -- like three which close this impressive 10-song collection: the swirling Remember to Call (“whenever you're away”) to a departing child, the furiously rocking In Our Family and the self-explanatory Sad As A Grey Sky.

Although DFP effect a widescreen sound they are just a smart three-piece: Savage (guitar/vocals), Oliver Harmer (keyboards/guitar) and Alex Ross-Smith (drums/bass).

Okay, no envelopes pushed.

But every one signed, sealed and delivering the kind of timeless guitar pop-rock on which alternative rock was built.

Another classy album of new material, and one the great comebacks in New Zealand music.

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You can hear this album on Spotify here