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I
tell you what, Spark is a Diamond remind me of a couple
of bands, and even genres, that have nothing to do with
each other but that once accidentally met at a hipster
party, went for coffee, ended up fucking like horny
rabbits and three months later spawned Try This One
for Size. I hear a lot of the briefly greats Death
From Above 1979 in this band. And that’s just fine.
Especially if what you like is dance rock. Of those
Canadians, Spark is a Diamond have taken not only the
guitar tone but the short and stocky groove-laden
rocking riffs. So we know the groove is there, present
at every second of this flashing debut album it
permeates every acidic angle with a touch of ironic
modernity.
Of the DFA
also, and of a few dozens of electroclashers who died while
working the oven at Williamsburg bakeries, Spark is a Diamond
have also taken the disco drum beats. You’ll recognize that even
if you don’t know what I am talking about. The hi hat is of the
essence and here gets more used than in a Bee Gees’ song.
Where the
clash comes is in the quasi extreme vocals, Alison Bellavance
and Matt Boylan make a good duo. Their roughness approximates
extreme metal; kinda like a death metal vocalist whose been
prohibited from growling ever again, they put their foot down in
order to exort some melodies and come out ok. This mix sounds a
bit raw. Spark is a Diamond have a good idea
cooking, but is not done yet. Death From Above 1979 were more
massive, they sounded greater, bigger and grander, while this
Philadelphia trio still sounds like it could use some help in
the arrangements department filling up their space with music.
Try This On for
Size
comes to its end with a totally horrific version of the Salt N’
Pepa classic “Push It”. I wasn’t a fan of the original but I
absolutely despise this version. Somewhere between the chorus I
was reminded of that horrible band Orgy covering New Order.
Blasphemy. This isn’t blasphemy but is just as hideous. The last
song of the album is by far the best and where in my opinion
Spark is a Diamond could pick up its pieces and run for the
gold. “re-Wish/Death” is a mix by Tyler Levebvre and it works
because it incorporates the modernity of electronic music to
their rock. Sure, the whole song is super contrived with cuts
and splices everywhere, but it manages to do the trick just fine
and it doesn’t lose one bit of emotion. If not, how could I
explain my moving feet?
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