Essentially this is a reissue of Robin George's punnily titled 2001 album '
Rock Of Ageists', with a new name.
It's as good now as it was then. Rethink.it's better now than it was then, thanks to three additional tracks, one of which,
'Cocoon' was lifted from his '
Bluesongs' album.
In the capacity of producer and/or writer, George has been associated with artists as diverse as Ted Nugent, Raymond Froggat,
Robert Plant and Diamond Head, but for
AOR heads, he's best known as the man credited with the invention of "technical melodic rock". What that means is this: he has a sound all of his own, instantly recognisable, not to be confused with any other. It also means that one, the sonics are clear, sharp and beautifully balanced, and two, the measured arrangements are full of crisp invention, colourful flourishes and an irresistible bounce.
To those familiar with the arena rock of '
Dangerous Music' (1985), the more thoughtful, reflective songs on '
Crying Diamonds' might well cut against the grain.
George doesn't write instantly memorable tunes. His melodies are often gossamer thin, but he spins them out and expands them into something more substantial. Later, you find yourself humming his tunes without realising that they've insinuated their way past your natural defences.
Opener,
'Learn The Dance' is a mesmeric entry point, an object lesson in the powerful use of backing voices to reinforce the lead vocals. Add strident, multi layered guitars and a pounding percussive thump and you've made this track probably the album's most immediate cut.
'Thanks For The Memories' betrays a whole bunch of influences, from Stealers Wheel to The Move, or maybe it's just that George takes all the most exciting elements from the most accessible pop music and fits them together in his own likeness.
You'll quickly develop an anticipatory rush to the intro of
'Judy', though this Beatle-esque song never really takes off. Yet, that edge-of-the-seat suspense it creates is perhaps the point here.
George's lush, anthemic ballad
'Loving You' is underpinned by a huge production and is buoyed by genuine sentiment. If that had been it, it would have been enough, but climaxing the song with a swaying gospel choir gilds the lily.
Elsewhere, the late Phil Lynott's ode to Elvis,
'King's Call' gets covered in all its floating, acoustic splendour. Which takes us to the title track, the Lennonesque '
Crying Diamonds', a collaborative effort between George and Lynott.
It's a delicate tune, held together by slick chord changes, a slowburn build and sweet, psychedelic flavouring. George's slender but wiry voice glides gracefully through a wordy lyric and provocative themes that are clearly and heavily influenced by Lynott. But the melancholy melody is all George's and it is that that makes the song.
What we need now is some brand new material. Meantime, this'll do just fine.
Written by
Brian Sunday, July 9, 2006
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