Five Five Diamonds (label)
20 November 2015 (released)
22 November 2015
There’s a bottom end to this album from New York five piece Imaginary People that will sink anything down to the ocean depths, it’s loud too. That it was produced by Kevin McMahon who’s dealt with Swans in the past could explain some of that.
The People swagger from the off with Simple Life, a song that conjures up images of Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison mainly because lead singer Dylan Van Wagner’s vocals has that shake ‘n’ shiver about them. It’s also has a rock ‘n’ roll thrill to it albeit with a synth sound that’s more in tune with the ‘80’s than the ‘50s. Summerstock is a more straightforward rocker and with Plain Purple they pull the listener back to the present. It’s an impressive start and the band don’t disappoint.
That aforementioned thick rhythm is felt throughout the album but cleverly layered with melodies and imagination to stop the album becoming a dirge. Take the disturbingly off centre Gingerbread Girl, the short trashy garage/psych of She Is. And then there is Russian Hill which has a mid-section that will have the proggers pondering.
They cover a broad base on this album though they don’t sound directionless and just recording any old idea that comes into their heads. It’s well worth 40 minutes of your time.
