Fabulous Diamonds - Fabulous Diamonds II (Vinyl LP)

Strewth!!! These Antipodean upstarts have been throwing shapes and arguing together for more than 5 years. That's a lot of shapes and arguments. This album has hypnotism and drama in equal measure and it's quite the musical journey. It starts with a 12 minute track that is a brazen combination of tension and repetition. I guess you could say in the mantra style vocal lines and droney keyboards they could share a bed or maybe even a hotel room with bands such as Silver Apples. You cant help being drawn into the fractious world of the Fabulous Diamonds as the production of this record bury's its moody head into your receptive shoulder. It's spacious and suffocating. It's tense yet relaxed. There is sparse minimalism and dramatic undercurrents in spades. The music veers around the less is more side of things, which really sets it apart from the rest. I would maybe even say "these guys have just raised the bar", but my medications just kicked in so I am only capable of moving my eyebrows...and typing, of course. I think all the composition is great too. It's got shade and almost Artex like texture. I reckon this is a really strong album. I'm not talking Arnie strong....I'm talking Colossus strong. Their stripped down, organic sound also reminds me of Wildbirds & Peacedrums but way more sulky. There are undeniable krautrock undercurrents yet it's very difficult to pin down what they sound like. It wears its droney heart on its weathered sleeve. It has a tribal feel that I also quite enjoy. There are 2 tracks on this album that surpass the 10 minute mark yet never lose the grumpy intensity that makes these Melbourne based magicians quite special... A veritable smorgasboard of sweetmeats and shiny trinkets. Dave x