Browse by Artist: DICK DIVER

Artist:	DICK DIVER
Title:	Arks Up
Label:	CHAPTER MUSIC (AUSTRALIA)
Format:	7"/CD
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	CH 074EP

The second in Chapter Music's new EP series, featuring a vinyl single accompanied by a CD with extra tracks, is by widescreen guitar pop newcomers Dick Diver. Melbourne fourpiece Dick Diver have only been at it for less than a year, but already have the hallmarks of a modern classic. There's something in their combination of widescreen Australian sweep, '70s New York punk edge and scratchy '90s indie rock that transcends influences to become truly rare and exciting. Maybe it's the dual songwriting of guitarists Alastair McKay and Rupert Edwards, which lobs Dick Diver up alongside Go-Betweens heroes Forster & McLennan. Or perhaps it's the epic but non-ridiculous guitar solos they trade off, with faint echoes of Television or Yo La Tengo. It could be the punk credentials of bassist Al Montfort (UV Race, Straightjacket Nation) that give the band some extra heft, or even the laconic drumming and casual harmonies of Steph Hughes (ex-Children Collide). Whatever it is, Dick Diver are definitely making a big impression, including being recently handpicked to support one of their icons Stephen Malkmus at his Melbourne solo show. Arks Up kicks off with instant classic "Walk For Room," one minute and 57 seconds of pure lazy pop magic, followed by the eerie "The Keys" and the genius songwriting of "Tender Years." The CD adds three extra tracks for a perfect introduction to one of Australia's most instantly engaging young bands.

Artist:	DICK DIVER
Title:	New Start Again
Label:	CHAPTER MUSIC (AUSTRALIA)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.50
Catalog #:	CH 092CD

New Start Again, the debut album by Melbourne foursome Dick Diver, is warm and understated, shot through with casual grace and supported by real backbone. It's an intriguing combination of widescreen Australian sweep, '70s New York edge and '90s indie-rock scratch that transcends its influences to become truly honest and exciting. The respectively wry and poetic songwriting of guitarists Rupert Edwards and Alistair McKay lobs Dick Diver up alongside Go-Betweens heroes Forster & McLennan, while their often epic fretwork bears echoes of Television and Yo La Tengo. But bassist Al Montfort's impeccable punk pedigree (UV Race, Total Control, Straightjacket) roughs up the band's bookish proclivities, while drummer Steph Hughes brings a similarly frayed-edge appeal. Her background in bands from Children Collide to Boomgates gives the band an offhand, subtly swinging charm. Their first EP, 2009's Arks Up, enjoyed Triple J rotation and community radio thrashing, and brought shows with Stephen Malkmus and a Boogie Festival appearance, amongst other plaudits. Rupert and Al Mc hogged the songwriting duties on the EP, but New Start Again, recorded with Eddy Current Suppression Ring's Mikey Young at an old homestead in country Victoria, is a much more even-handed affair. The band share songwriting, swap instruments, and introduce new sounds like pedal steel, piano, and slide guitar. Steph and Al Monty's title-track duet, especially, provides a laidback, cheeky counterpoint to their bandmates' more considered efforts. Rupert, meanwhile, provides lovelorn-but-snappy first single "Through The D" and sook-pop classic "On The Bank," while Al Mc displays impressionistic lyrical flair on tracks like "Hammock Days" and "Seagulls." And on closing track "Head Back," the four loosen their collars to create probably the funnest five minutes of music released in Australia this year.

Artist:	DICK DIVER
Title:	New Start Again
Label:	CHAPTER MUSIC (AUSTRALIA)
Format:	LP
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	CH 092LP

LP version. New Start Again, the debut album by Melbourne foursome Dick Diver, is warm and understated, shot through with casual grace and supported by real backbone. It's an intriguing combination of widescreen Australian sweep, '70s New York edge and '90s indie-rock scratch that transcends its influences to become truly honest and exciting. The respectively wry and poetic songwriting of guitarists Rupert Edwards and Alistair McKay lobs Dick Diver up alongside Go-Betweens heroes Forster & McLennan, while their often epic fretwork bears echoes of Television and Yo La Tengo. But bassist Al Montfort's impeccable punk pedigree (UV Race, Total Control, Straightjacket) roughs up the band's bookish proclivities, while drummer Steph Hughes brings a similarly frayed-edge appeal. Her background in bands from Children Collide to Boomgates gives the band an offhand, subtly swinging charm. Their first EP, 2009's Arks Up, enjoyed Triple J rotation and community radio thrashing, and brought shows with Stephen Malkmus and a Boogie Festival appearance, amongst other plaudits. Rupert and Al Mc hogged the songwriting duties on the EP, but New Start Again, recorded with Eddy Current Suppression Ring's Mikey Young at an old homestead in country Victoria, is a much more even-handed affair. The band share songwriting, swap instruments, and introduce new sounds like pedal steel, piano, and slide guitar. Steph and Al Monty's title-track duet, especially, provides a laidback, cheeky counterpoint to their bandmates' more considered efforts. Rupert, meanwhile, provides lovelorn-but-snappy first single "Through The D" and sook-pop classic "On The Bank," while Al Mc displays impressionistic lyrical flair on tracks like "Hammock Days" and "Seagulls." And on closing track "Head Back," the four loosen their collars to create probably the funnest five minutes of music released in Australia this year.

Previous Page Index of Artists Next Page