Rackets have done it again. The Auckland three-piece’s fourth or so – details are sketchy – full album ‘Walking The Skeleton’ has been out since late July and is nothing short of glorious. The sound sits somewhere between indie rock and melodic late ’80s / early ’90s pop punk, on the verge of turning commercial – luckily without losing its edge to any mainstream slickness.

Oscar Davies-Kay (bass), Jeremy Potts (guitar) and drummer Vince Nairn have been together as Rackets since high school, gigging relentlessly from early on. This has definitely paid off for them – there are few bands as tight as these three, who can deliberately mix shambolic with genuine talent, evident in their ability to write damn catchy songs and play the shit out of them live. Lyrically tongue in cheek, with a wicked sense of humour, all of this album’s singles thus far, Gay Boyz, Wash My Brain Out and TV Started Talking To Me have been lapped up by student radio stations nationwide. Recorded and produced by the band’s long-time supporter Bob Frisbee (Street Chant, Beach Pigs, Transistors) this is a joyous, upbeat punk rock album for anyone who might enjoy some of the more poppy bands on Fat Wreck Chords.