Diagonal - Diagonal (2008)

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Diagonal - Diagonal (2008)

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From the sound of their eponymous debut, Brighton's Diagonal never heard a record past 1980. Their pastiche of '60s and '70s acid, prog, and jazz-rock is so authentic that it begs the question: why not just listen to the original inspirations? Well, they never had production and chops like this. Diagonal also never succumb to excess. These five tracks total over 46 minutes, but they shapeshift so deftly that they feel much shorter. "Semi-Permeable Men Brain" morphs from a Miles Davis-esque (fusion era) simmer to a swinging, bell-bottomed groove to a bubbling, organ-driven rave-up to a monster percussion break that crate diggers would do well to track down. Other songs are similarly limber. "Deathwatch" mushrooms from Sgt. Pepper's-esque psychedelia to coruscating, King Crimson-esque clean guitars. "Cannon Misfire" sports quirky, funky bass and retro-perfect analog distortion. "Pact" reveals the bandmembers to be more than mere stylists; a lovely ambient bridge leads to a poignant, Pink Floyd-esque rideout. The record isn't all smooth going – horns and vocals often fall out of tune, and for all their delightful parts, the tracks don't add up to anything greater. This fine debut, though, should afford Diagonal more opportunities to hone their craft.

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Diagonal - Diagonal (2008)

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4.5 stars. I completely agree with Avestin, this is "pure bliss". I need to thank my Australian buddy Tom Ozric for recommending this album to me as well. This really is like a trip back in time as DIAGONAL offer up a feast of vintage keyboards and spaced out soundscapes. The mellotron in particular is so well done. The only band I really thought while listening to this was the equally retro ASTRA who I believe is even on the same record label. DIAGONAL aren't as Psychedelic though,and offer up some variety which is why they're in the Eclectic genre.
"Semi Permeable Men-Brain" is the almost 11 minute opening track. Lots of atmosphere as guitar is picked quickly. Organ comes in with some outbursts of power that come and go. Amazing sound before 2 1/2 minutes when the mellotron washes in with those vocals I like.The organ and guitar sound great as well. Check out the guitar before 8 1/2 minutes as they jam right to the end. "Child Of The Thunder-Cloud" opens with piano in a pastoral setting. The piano picks up then a full sound arrives before 2 1/2 minutes. Vocals 3 minutes in as the mellotron floods in. Nice. A calm before 5 minutes with some atmosphere. This is great ! It kicks back in around 6 minutes. "Deathwatch" opens with vocals and some sparse keys. Light drums join in but the focus is on the vocals.This is an excellent laid back tune until it gets fuller around 4 1/2 minutes with some outstanding guitar.

"Cannon Misfire" opens with some nice bass before the metalic sounding guitar comes in.The tone of the guitar here reminds me of a TIME MACHINE song. Sax comes in replacing the guitar but not for long as the guitar returns around 1 1/2 minutes. The bass is prominant again like on the intro as drums pound. You can hear the guitar screaming in the background. There's that metalic guitar again 5 minutes in to the end. "Pact" is the 14 minute closer. It opens with organ as a full sound kicks in quickly. Mellotron a minute in as it settles. Vocals follow. A jazzy break before 5 1/2 minutes is short lived as mellotron returns. Next up is an extended spacey calm. Mellotron joins in before 10 1/2 minutes.This sounds so heavenly.The spacey calm ends after 11 minutes as the organ comes in followed by guitar and drums. It settles to end our trip.

This may recall the late sixties and early seventies but it's so fresh and well done. Highly recommended.

Review by Mellotron Storm

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Diagonal - Diagonal (2008)

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Diagonal - Diagonal (2008)

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