Straitjacket Fits – Hail (CD)

ShayneCarterandJohnCollieformedStraitjacketFitsin in 1986 after the demise of theDoublehappysand were joined byAndrewBroughandDavidWood. The reissue ofHailisdeeply tinged with sadness following the recent loss ofAndrewBrough; gifted songwriter and guitarist of not onlyStraitjacketFits, but alsoBikeand Dunedin bandThe Blue Meanies.Andrewsmusical impact is undeniable and its unimaginable to think of a world without his contributions to New Zealand music.

StraitjacketFitsdebut release, theLife In One ChordEP appeared in 1987 and the albumHailwas released in 1988. Both were recorded atTheLabin Auckland withTerryMoore(fromTheChills).

[The songs] Hail and Grate suggested a monolithic guitar monster future and, while that is part of what can be found onHail, there is a remarkable diversity of song and sound on show. The oft-describedShayneCarter/AndrewBroughduality of sour/hard and sweet/soft is a simplified observation of what is a much deeper and richer stew of ideas and sounds.reflectsFlyingNunRecordsfounder,Roger Shepherd.

Hailis an album that beautifully showcases the many strengths ofStraitjacketFitsin the early part of their development. It is a record full of furious off-piste guitaring and startling vocals anchored by a granite hard rhythm section but that also showcases gentler melodic material including a cover ofLeonardCohensSoLongMarianne. But generally the songs are more experimental in nature with a considerable range of material fromAndrewBroughsstandout FabulousThingsto the vigorous guitar noise ofShayneCartersGrate.

Hailis a documentation of a band on the up, a band flexing its potential and oozing confidence and optimism. WithHailtheStraitjacketFitswere well on their way to giving the rock n roll thing their very best shot.

ITEM DETAILS

Artist: Straitjacket Fits
Title: Hail
Label:Flying Nun Records
Year: 1988/2020
Cat #: FN142
Recorded: The Lab

Band Members: Shayne Carter, Andrew Brough, John Collie, David Wood.

Tracklist:

1. Dialling A Prayer
2. All That That Brings
3. Hail
4. Sparkle That Shines
5. She Speeds
6. So Long Marianne
7. Grate
8. Fabulous Things
9. Life In One Chord
10. This Taste Delight