The Verlaines – Death and the Maiden (1983)

Now look. Some uncharitable people might think I’ve slipped this in just to make some sort of clever clever segue from my last post on Franz Schubert.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

This is without a doubt one of the finest indie records of all time and one of many pop gems that have come out of New Zealand over the last 30 years. Released on the legendary Flying Nun record label in 1983, anyone who likes this will also love The Clean, The Chills, etc, etc. And a great video as well – most influential appearance by a rabbit in a film since Fatal Attraction ….