The fun quotient in music is too often overlooked. But let’s admit it -- sometimes songs just need to be about having a righteous good time. Fortunately, with “Popsicle,” the latest release from Diamond Nights, it’s all about wild Nights, leather pants and torrential tunes.
Not since The Darkness’ last release have I felt so compelled to crank up my stereo and play air guitar. Not that I would ever do that. But Diamond Nights’ songs are so high energy that one might get carried away and do such things. And yes, there will be comparisons to The Darkness as is inevitable with any arena rock release in the past year – though as is also inevitable, Diamond Nights isn’t as good.
In particular, the lead off song “Destination Diamonds” is an electric guitar rockin’ time. Equally fun in its ridiculously rollin’ lyrics is “Saturday Fantastic.” Don’t we all feel that way about the weekend from time to time? And “The Girl’s Attractive” has an almost sultry, Billy Idol quality to it, which is a nice treat twenty years later.
Diamond Nights take on rock is refreshing in an age of serious, often mopey meanderings. It’s bold not because of deep musical exploration, but because it’s unapologetic in its gusto. One of their choruses is “It’s Saturday Night, yeah, yeah” – and there you have it.
So next Saturday night, my suggestion is give Diamond Nights some air time, if not before the night’s festivities, certainly after. The album may require listeners be in a certain mood -- this isn’t one of those albums that is great whenever, wherever, whoever -- but it’s got some payoff. |