Album Notes

The Dark Beaks are from Dunedin, New Zealand and play jangling alternative folk-rock. "Warm", "beautiful" and "weird" are the three most commonly used words in reviews of the album. One reviewer described it as "an excellent mix of indie rock, folk and a hint of Prog" while others find something of a "Flying Nun" (1980's/ 1990's NZ independent label) sound to the band.

Dunedin is known for producing alternative guitar bands and musicians, also being the home of The Clean, The Bats, The Chills, The Verlaines, Straitjacket Fits, Snapper, David Kilgour and many more. The Dark Beaks grew from this tradition; their sound shaped by Dunedin’s DIY attitude, indifference to musical trends and the isolation of living on the edge of the world (next stop, Antarctica).

"It's been too long since I've heard something this inspired come out of New Zealand so get while the gettings good." (DAGGER, USA)

"There’s something about the music of Dunedin, New Zealand’s the Dark Beaks that evokes the lushness of their home island (just like the ol’ Flying Nun bands).... enough inventive, tuneful songs to make it a must-have." (Autopiamusic.com (USA) - albums of the year)

"Warm, dark bubbling alt-guitar rocking...The Dark Beaks like to crowd their mixes with warm, dark brown, almost Van Morrison tones and then fast forward them to... late Beatle territory, but in a cool way, with odd joints and juxtapositions and effects making hay with the mix." (Unpeeled Magazine, UK)

"Guitar-pop trio The Dark Beaks have delivered the surprise pick of the bunch with debut album Spill Your Heart" **** (The Otago Daily Times)

"...reminiscent of early Flying Nun... Spill Your Heart is a welcome new addition to the rich catalogue of sounds that have emanated from Dunedin's frosty corridors." (The Southland Times)

"Spill Your Heart is reminiscent of The Verlaines or Sneaky Feelings… Definitely one to watch." (The Dominion Post)

“Proudly carrying the flag of Dunedin, New Zealand guitar pop …a warm and good-natured effort” - Copacetic Zine (USA)

"A mad plate, with which there is new to discover again and again. Clearly rather Pop as rock. In strange kind dreams and unreal. Beautiful." (German fanzine Guitars Galore March Album of the Month)

"Beautiful sounds...Small weird pop pearls... The music is agreeably old fashioned, has corners and edges." (Schallgrenzen, Germany)
[German reviews translated by AltaVista Babelfish].