The Guilty Office

iTunes Review

The Bats are part of the axis of cool upon which the legendary New Zealand post-punk scene was built, with royal figureheads the Clean at the core. Bassist and vocalist Robert Scott was an early member of that band, and when the Clean went on hiatus in the ‘80s, he founded the long-running Bats. Many years have passed since their 1987 debut, Daddy’s Highway, and in spite of a voice showing some signs of good use, Scott and his trademark ringing, guitar-jangle, heart-on-sleeve lyrics and original bandmates (!) continue to produce music that is still unique today. Kaye Woodward’s sweet counterpoint vocals are vital, and tracks like the moving “Castle Lights” and “The Orchard” work in great part thanks to the pair’s fragile harmonies. “Broken Path” and “The I Specialist” share the dark melancholy of earlier works like “Cliff Edge,” while “Steppin’ Out” has the upbeat energy of “Treason” from so many years ago. The music feels effortless and easy; one hopes it portends a continued career for this seminal group, whose influence reaches far beyond their record sales. (Check out Minisnap, a side project of Scott’s three bandmates.)