Long live rock n' roll!
Dear Diary, a melodic rock band from Chicago, USA, are back with a self-titled album of archived tracks from their successful 80's rock career.
Surprisingly, the tracks on this album are noticeably lighter than the hard rock sound you'd expect from the 80's American rock scene, yet retaining the same attitude of their more in-your-face counterparts. Yes, the big guitar solos are there, as are the powerful vocal harmonies, but the lyrics are, for the majority of the songs, much more tender and sensitive than what one would expect from a band of this genre. This all changes, however, for 'Tanqueray Tina'. With its sleazy sliding guitar melody and husky, raunchy vocal contribution, Dear Diary introduce their listeners to a completely different aspect of their collective personality and I loved it!
One of the strongest features of this band are their frequent use of harmonised vocals; the two voices work so well together, the texture so rich and smooth, delivering the tender lyrics beautifully. The effect of the vocals contrasted against the rugged backing guitar melodies is impressive; it shouldn't work, but it really does!
My favourite track of the album was the final song, 'Plain to See', which featured vocalist Jeff Evans singing his heart out with a simple acoustic guitar accompaniment; the song was so controlled and precise, but this didn't in any way detract from the passion that flooded from the performance; top class!
My only criticism of "Dear Diary" is that in places it does tend to lose direction; the sleaze of 'Tanqueray Tina' was the only break in what was otherwise a collection of very similarly structured songs. That's not to say that these songs aren't good, just that my attention did start to wander during the second half of the album. I would have loved to have heard more songs with the bands' sleazy side coming out to create more of a balance with the mid-paced songs.
Dear Diary's dream may have ended in the early 90's but when the music is this good, it remains forever tattooed on the hearts and souls of hard rockers everywhere; long live rock n' roll!
"Dear Diary" will be available from February 2011; by purchasing this album not only are you owning a piece of history, but allowing yourself to experience a different perspective on a traditional rock sound.
Dear Diary are vocalist Jeff Evans, guitarists Dave Schafer and Nick Panos, bassist Mike Levin and drummer Vince Consolo.