Album Review: Diamond - Don’t Lose Your Cool
Posted on Under The Gun Review on Monday, November 22nd 2011.
One year on from their demo EP, Diamond are back with their second offering; Don’t Lose Your Cool; a seven-track mix of upbeat alt-rock with sensible pop harmonies, something which is an exit for members of this band, as it features members from two Hardcore bands; Down to Nothing and Trapped Under Ice.
Nevertheless Don’t Lose Your Control certainly rectifies the idea that Diamond is a separate project and does not come close in comparing to either of those bands. Much like their previous EP, Don’t Lose Your Control provides summery alt-rock that flows along a steady, feel-good pace.
One band Diamond have been compared to is Weezer and with opening track ,“Sunburn,” its easy to understand why, as their style is one that blends edgy alt-rock with harmonies pop sensibilities. It’s a clever combination that works very well, as their light vocal melodies easily sits well next to the bands driving guitars.
“Fix of Mine” keeps up the momentum, as once again the bands upbeat, punchy approach produces a highly favourable sound, and although it’s a sound that Jimmy Eat World have pulled off time and time again, tracks like “Fix of Mine” and later on “The Feeling” show Diamond are clearly capable of producing consistent alt-pop rock.
With these seven songs there is little variation but with tracks like “Fly Solo;” a summery, hook-filled highlight, you can’t and probably shouldn’t complain. However tracks like “Keep Dreamin’” do hint a slightly heavier Diamond sound, it’s the clean, chorus-driven direction which wins over.
Throughout Don’t Lose Your Control, Diamond showcase a knack for writing well-structured pop-rock songs, that you will more than likely have on repeat for days. Their use of blending gorgeous vocal harmonies works a treat, and in some ways is a world away from their other bands. On top of that, the bands driving guitars add emphasis and provides an edge that some may considered in places.
Nevertheless it is hard to pick fault with Don’t Lose Your Control. It brilliantly combines the pop-sensibilities of Weezer and Jimmy Eat World and adds a slight 90′s emo lyrical approach, thus producing an instantly favourable collection of compelling, well-structured songs that you’ll be listening to again and again.
SCORE: 9.5/10
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