EP Review: Spaghetti Land

Menzies are a four-piece melting pot of marvellously talented folk from Wellington, comprised of Chris Brown (Friendlies), Miles Sutton (Welcomer, Prizegiving), Doug Kelly (Girl Boss), Nikita Piper (Friendlies, Androgynous Lemon). They have just released their debut EP, Spaghetti Land, to riotous applause, fanfares, parades in their honour, a 21 gun salute, and the keys to the city. At least, that’s what I assume, given how good it is.

The opener is the title track, and it starts with a riff that smacks you fair round the chops, to make sure you’re awake. This ends up completely changing feel, where we hear about someone called Heather, in a delivery so plaintive that now I want to know how Heather is, and whether she’s better. I sure hope her family have stopped being angry, that’s for sure. Spaghetti Land ends on a beautiful piano outro, it’s a unique song that has an overall effect quite unlike anything else. Hugh & Julia is simply one of the best love songs I’ve ever heard. Tongue firmly in cheek, and yet simultaneously sweetly poignant, and eminently relatable.

I love the glorious guitar that provides the lion’s share of the musical backing in 8/10, deep, clean, and full in this superbly soft song. This is another delightful Kiwi tale, genuine and all too familiar. By stark contrast, K.I.S.S.I.N.G. is a bawdy punk brawler, its outrageously good vocal intro leading into a blistering track that includes a flip of the bird to Adele, if you please. Leaves one in no doubt as to the vitriolic sentiment that produced it.

Final track Sun & the Stars kicks from right out of the gate, building and blooming until it becomes a behemoth of a rhythm, a tidal wave of treacle-thick riff, monstrous and thunderous.

Spaghetti Land is an uncommon EP from a unique band. It’s a long, LONG time since I’ve heard anything that sounded not only this different from anything else around, but also this new and fresh. I’ve heard elements of Menzies’ sound in different places, but I’ve never heard those elements put together quite like this. 

Menzies are starting a 4 date tour on the 19th, hop on over to their Facebook page so you can follow what they’re up to, and make sure you don’t miss out on getting a ticket.