Now this is an odd one, and I can’t decipher whether I think it’s genius or absurd. Mixing the vocal delivery of someone like The Blood Brothers with a bass-driven sound that may want you to dance, it’s a heady mix that often shifts from being fantastic to being a bit rubbish – often within the same verse or chorus. One thing is for sure though, these north-eastern boys are different and different enough to attract the attention of Deep Elm Records, who released this record.
‘There Should Be More Dancing’ is an awkward audio experience. ‘The Day We Conquered’ is an example of how to do things properly, as is ‘Blind Boys’, when Free Diamonds get the mixture between off-kilter beats and spazzy vocals just about right. But sadly there are too many moments, for me, when the band go all out to make an impression and end up making a complete balls up of it. ‘The List of Everyone’ has too much going on, while ‘M is for Missing’ ironically misses the concept of a tune. Or maybe that was the point and the joke is on me? Either way, this is good in places and absolutely barking mad in others – like marmite you will love it or hate it…
www.freediamonds.co.uk
Deep Elm
paul