Book of the Week: NEEDLES AND PLASTIC by Matthew Goody

Book of the Week: NEEDLES AND PLASTIC: FLYING NUN RECORDS, 1981—1988 by Matthew Goody

Stupendously well documented and illustrated, this book takes a clear and generous look at the over 140 records produced by Flying Nun during its prime years in the 1980s, when it was based in Christchurch and was an effective catalyst for homegrown music that rejected the ethos of the corporate labels. The book is packed with information about the bands that were central to an Aotearoan cultural resurgence, and also about bands that you have never heard of or had (sometimes justly) forgotten. Goody's discographic history provides a clear view from a distance, and is even better than you might have hoped it would be.