Diamond Dogs - Up The Rock CD review

When you think of power pop, the first thing that comes to mind, of course, is Big Star and Cheap Trick, as well as followers such as Brit-popsters Teenage Fanclub and American sub-Seattle (actually Bellingham to be exact) heavyweights the Posies. But whatever happened to grittier, riff-driven rock and roll? Diamond Dogs is the answer, and ‘rock things up’ is what they do on their appropriately titled record called Up The Rock.

Hailing from Sweden, the band possesses the sound of classic Cheap Trick (think of the first three records), the glam infusion of Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie (soundwise, but not image), and T-Rex a la Slider or Electric Warrior; perfect for hailing the raucous rock and roll spirit that invokes catchy hooks, melodic riffs, and churning grooves. The album’s upbeat stance is heralded with cuts like “We May Not Have Tomorrow,” “The Closest I’ve Ever Been To Memphis,” and “Put Your Hands Together,” where the latter is self explanatory – and even with the dark balladry of “Where Are You Tonight” and the soulfulness of “Make It To The Other Side,” the album still stays on its buoyant course, through and through.

Up The Rock’s production also mirrors that of the early days of power pop – reverb, tape delay, close-miked acoustic guitars (remember when you could hear the pick hitting the strings?), and arrangements that include organs, dancing piano, and a growling sax – the Visconti-esque vibe is all over the place. Vocalist Sulo fronts the band, mixing punkish attitude and soulfulness, and the band plays out multifaceted arrangements without going into stoner rock territories or getting redundant (and thankfully, they aren’t jam happy either). Up The Rock proves that Diamond Dogs are real troubadours of the classic edgy power pop sound – something welcome in the world of bubblegum teenybopper schlock. (Locomotive Records) – Review by Tommy "Hashman" Hash

(Click on the CD cover to buy Up The Rock from Amazon.com)