While to the uninitiated, Digger may seem and sound like they are the very definition of jumping on the bandwagon, these Pennsylvania based rockers have been playing this game since 1996. Purveyors of some of the finest pop rock you’re ever likely to hear, and awash with melody, you would be forgiven for thinking they had predicted the emotional rock revolution before Brand New, Taking Back Sunday and the Get Up Kids even picked up their instruments and had simply waited for the right time to unveil themselves. However, this is their fourth full length release on Hopeless Records and their musical maturity is clearly evident.
The lyrical subject matter on the album is clearly very personal, and the from the moment ‘Someone Save Me’ opens the album, you can feel the emotion pouring from the stereo. However, what is their strength is also their weakness. The main gripe I have with this record is that it seems to be trying a little too hard. The emotion on display is staggering, yet the lyrics are either over complicated or stupidly simplistic. On top of this, it is difficult to pick any stand out tracks on the record. The likes of ‘Gemini’ with its furious drum opening and the breakneck pace of ‘C-Note’ all bring a smile to the face, they certainly won’t be stuck in your head for days to come.
I know I sound like I’m being wholly negative, but it’s not all bad. Far from it. This is an accomplished and solid pop rock record, packed with huge chunks of melody and some excellent riffery. Unlike a number of bands in Digger’s vein (Cadillac Blindside being a good example) the slower numbers are of equal quality as the more furious tunes. The album closer, ‘Mesh Hats and Interstates’, while being clichéd in the lyrical department again, is a beautifully melodic sing a long which finished the record off perfectly.
Unfortunately, I still can’t get past the, at times, very poor lyrics (especially on ‘Security Envelopes’, which is a shame, as it actually a very good song) and rhyme schemes and the production could be a little meatier. But, like I said earlier, this is a good little record, and it would take a person with a heart of stone not to find something positive to say about it.
Think of The Juliana Theory if they suddenly grew some balls and you’d be close to encapsulating the pop rock stylings of Digger. It certainly wont break the mould, or change your life, or force you on a pilgrimage to Pennsylvania simply to meet the band, but what ‘Keystone’ will do is put a hefty smile on your face and keep you nodding along as Chris Benner and friends belt out some quality melody-drenched rock. Who could ask for more?
Ross
