Diamond Hands “III”
LA musicians Jon Flynn and Joel Wall have done a great job of getting people hooked on their ’60s drenched power pop. In 2016 they released a free debut, brilliantly constructed; their sound was like The Byrds, Monkees, and The Move all combined. They followed this up with “II” another free full-length LP that continued the melodies in 2018, so by the time “III” was ready I was eager to lay down my cash for this one. It was recorded last year but released last month.
The Rickenbacker strums have added muscle on “Sleep Too Long” with California references and a killer hook. “Tomorrow Can Wait” has an echoing jangle and is very similar in style to The Above. The ballads are just as infectious, like the Beatlesque “Any Other Girl.” You’ll have a fun time trying to play spot the influence on most of these songs. While very strong, the songs don’t surpass the gems on “II.” But they come close, and there isn’t a note of filler here. Highly Recommended.
Paul Melancon “The Get Gos Action Hour!”
Atlanta musician Paul Melancon and his band “the New Insecurities” take the persona of a late ‘60s Hanna-Barbera cartoon show, but other than the quick intro theme, it isn’t sugary bubblegum. This is an album about a journey.
“Permanent Makeup” is a great song about the lies we tell ourselves, and it includes a dense guitar break between the catchy verses. The narrative is a tale of struggling to deal with a dark reality, “This Shaky Lullaby” is a warning to listeners to “please don’t follow,” as it effectively leads us down the rabbit hole. “Hyperventilate” is a Jellyfish-like tune that describes a panic attack, and one of the best songs on the album. The next several songs deal with self-exploration and facing those demons, a notable example “Fitzcarraldo” about Werner Herzog’s obsession to complete his film with swirling synths in the melody. Next, “Mareación” is an 11 minute, 4-part epic trip that goes from folk to prog rock, and back. The aftermath is dealt on “Here and Now I Was” and the catchy finale “The Answer Is Yes.” Overall a strong emotional album that challenges the listener. I recommend you check it out.
