The Mutton Birds - Too Hard Basket (1998)

The New Zealand pop band the Mutton Birds was led by singer/guitarist Don McGlashan, already a highly regarded figure in his native land for his work in the legendary post-punk-era group Blam Blam Blam. Also including ex-Six Volts guitarist David Long and drummer Ross Burge, the group began recording their debut album in late 1991. Following its completion, former Dribbling Darts bassist Alan Gregg was recruited to fill out the lineup. Preceded by the single "Dominion Road," the Mutton Birds' eponymous debut LP appeared on their own Bag Records label in 1992; a melodic pop effort informed by '60s-era influences, it also spawned the hit "Nature," and fell just shy of topping the New Zealand album charts. In mid-1993, the single "Your Window" provided the Mutton Birds with another hit, and they soon signed with Virgin, issuing their sophomore LP, Salty. In 1995, Virgin also released Nature, a compilation of the earlier two albums intended for the foreign market; Envy of Angels, the Mutton Birds' third studio effort, followed a year later. After 1997's Angle of Entry, Gregg was replaced by Tony Fisher for 1999's Rain, Steam & Speed.