Album Review: Diamond Hands — III
Fans of hooks and high-energy, melodic rock should stop whatever they’re doing and make immediate purchase of this LP. Diamond Hands’ III is influenced by mid-period Beatles, but it also sounds a bit like Orgone Box crossed with Grip Weeds. Yes, there are derivative elements here and there: you’ve heard that “Tomorrow Can Wait” bass lick in everything from “Taxman” to The Jam’s “Start” to The Turtles’ “Outside Chance,” but it sounds fresh and new here, somehow. There’s a sparkling Merseybeat vibe to “Any Other Girl” (a tune with live shades of The La’s), but to call Diamond Hands’ music powerpop is to do it a pigeonholing disservice.
As solid as 2018’s II was, the third long-playing outing from this Los Angeles outfit may well be their best yet. While their earlier releases called to mind a specific set of vintage influences, III seems to expand on those while sharpening focus. “Breakin’ Down,” for example, sounds a bit like Jellyfish. And the slide guitar of “Illusion Song” has a subtle paisley underground vibe. The unison bass-and-keys of “Only You” feels like a minor-key answer to the Dave Clark Five’s “Because.”
Every one of the 11 songs here is fully developed and varied, with admirable care and creativity put into the arrangements and production. All three of the band’s releases are recommended, but III may be the best entry point for the uninitiated. Most enthusiastically recommended.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY DEPT.: Here’s my review of their first album, and here’s my review of their second one.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.