One of my favorite albums of 2006 was New Zealand/Minneapolis via New Zealand group Quarter Acre Lifestyle’s self-titled debut.

The music scene in NZ is quite diverse, and thus the Auckland sextet channels influences unheard by our simple Yankee ears (although references to Massive Attack, Portishead, NIN and now Stereolab).

QAL’s approach to writing, grooves, heck, even their guitar sound is truly unique. It’s refreshing.

Their new disc is called Blood on the Lawn, and it comes out today. The stronger guitars are thanks to Kiwi-turned-Las Vegas resident Tony Masterantonio on the axe. The sweet feminine vocals atop some of the churning tracks are from North Dakota native Kristin Brown.

Stream some of the tracks here.

In a world re-obsessed with Kamerican Idoloke, I commend Quarter Acre Lifestyle for keeping me excited about this Minneapolis band writing their own, original tunes. This stuff just gets better and better.

I highly recommend this band. And frankly, good for you, readers, for seeking out new music.