Sneaky Feelings were an often overlooked group of the '80s New Zealand
rock scene whose closest comparison is the Verlaines. Leader Matthew Bannister's
songs may have been a little too savvy for the gritty underground sound
of Straightjacket Fits or the Gordons, and likewise too quirky for the
mainstream that embraced Crowded House and Split Enz. For being somewhat
of a cult title in the underground for two decades, Waiting for Touchdown
is a highly crafted and beautiful collection of guitar pop songs, exhibiting
a sound and sensibility that would crop up much later in the U.K. indie
sound of Arab Strap and Belle & Sebastian. On hearing this album it's
easy to see what all the critical acclaim and fuss surrounding the band
was about. Those who have exhausted their Flying Nun collections
Chills, Straightjacket Fits, the Clean will welcome this as being
more than a footnote in the history of New Zealand pop.
(by Skip Jansen, All
Music Guide)
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