The Fuzzies: Cupid (Powertools/digital outlets)

Although many would point to the influence of the “Dunedin sound” on this album by a seasoned Auckland three-piece, there are other equally important and enjoyable threads in their sound, notably the detached monotone of vocalist Kelly's delivery on their minimalist alt.rock.

It more clearly recalls Lou Reed, Tom Verlaine and other with that New York indifference.

And that location is confirmed when bassist Niki steps up to microphone on Beautiful and Sweet for a sliver of nicely undernourished New Wave pop.

Certainly there's some of the Clean's chugging and churning churning quality throughout.

But with the terrific cover of Enshrine's Side of My Own – Kelly's previous band, here again he couldn't-care-less over the brittle rhythmic repetition – we're very much on the dirty boulevard downtown with this band which previously covered the Velvet's All Tomorrows Parties and here offers a grinding six minute VU-styled version of Song to the Siren here.

There's some smart alt.pop here too: the catchy Koo Koo, Too Late, Niki and Kelly on the title track, the instantly memorable Aloe Vera which is perhaps a touch too Clean for its own good.

The Fuzzies have a smart line in jangle-drone throughout, and fuzzed up guitars as befits their name.

Cupid is a collection of mostly previously drip-fed material but to get them all in the one place is a real treat.

They are minimal and direct, and the less Kelly sounds like he cares, the better they are.

Well worth checking out and, by prescience or coincidence, it comes in a Barbie doll cover created by the late Hamish Kilgour.

Clearly their time is now.

.

You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here

.