Ages

It’s only natural that bands are influenced by other bands from their region. Formed in 2010 in Auckland, Ghost Wave have elements that may remind listeners of The Verlaines, The Clean, and The Chills: all New Zealand bands that recorded for the same label, Flying Nun Records. The 2013 copyright date here isn’t a renewal date but the real deal, and Ages even comes produced by Thomas Bell, a member of the aforementioned Clean. Yet, of course, Ghost Wave doesn't merely mimic the bands that came before. Once you’ve taken note of the pretty guitar jangles and understated lead vocals, you’ll hear fresh attempts at psychedelic garage rock on “Country Rider” and an almost Fall-like intensity on what appears to be a one-and-a-quarter-chord jam called “Arkestra.” “Horsemouth” dreams of The 13th Floor Elevators. “Here She Comes” loves the cacophony of primitive reverbs and ambitious strumming techniques. Those strums are altered in subtle ways throughout “Ages,” “Bootlegs” (with some fine keyboards wandering through), and “Mountain,” where the band locates a touch of Krautrock to add to its perfect set of influences.