|
|
|
Making the move from a smaller record label to a major one is something that just about every band wishes to do. It is proof that they have achieved a certain level of success in the music industry. Just about anyone can release an album today but it takes a certain amount of work and talent to sign to a major label. This is how the theory goes anyway. Diffuser has made the jump from the small time to the larger time. Unfortunately the jump seems not to have added to their originality. Injury Loves Melody is a good rock album but that is all it is. A good rock album in a field saturated with many good rock albums. There is not much that is new in this release.
Diffuser used to be the group Flu 13, which commenced their career in 1994. Last year (2000), they decided to change their name. When asked why the name change, drummer Billy Alemaghides stated, "We just got so sick of the name/number band names saturating the market, and being a band that always strives to be different, we had to make the change." Change can be good but Alemaghide's claim that they strive to be different is not proven on this release. They might have changed their name but most certainly did not change the standard rock formula.
Having said that, their interpretation of that formula is very good. The song, "Karma," the first release from the album was selected to be on the Mission Impossible 2 soundtrack. The song certainly fits the high tempo intensity of the movie. When these guys rock, they can rock. This is not surprising since you can hear their influences such as Van Halen and Sonic Youth. 80's arena rock is what the members of the band grew up with and the influence of this is noticeable in a good way.
|
EMusic FREE Trial MP3 Subscriptions
Market your band or artist
Get 100 Free 80's MP3s at EMusic
|
Artist @ CanEHdian |
 |
"Tidal" is about something…but the meaning is unclear. The gang in Diffuser do not worry about intricately linked lyrics that have multiple meanings. Sometimes you do not want to have to ponder lyrics. What they excel in is their brand of power pop. As said before, it is nothing new but one can easily see that the majority of the music on Injury Loves Company is radio friendly.
In reference to their influences, there is a hidden track on the CD. You have to go through about five minutes of silence before coming to it and it is worth the wait. It is a tune that is a send-up of 80's hair bands, complete with massive guitar riffs and synthesizers. It's funny to hear and remember that, for a time, bands such as that ruled the music airwaves. To complete the humour element of the CD, the CD liner picture is sure to bring a smile. The image of two young children lugging a piano over a railing is odd to say the least.
Injury Loves Company is a good major label debut CD. Diffuser is good at what they do. The problem with that is that what they do is done already and done a lot. If you like power pop with hints of 80's hard rock, then Diffuser and more specifically, Injury Loves Company is for you. Just do not expect anything truly original.
By Daniel Sanford, CanEHdian.com 2001
|
|
|
Submit a review or article on Diffuser: |
|
Express your views online: If you have an article, album or concert review you wish to
share with others, submit it here. We will review
your contribution and potentially publish it!
| | |
|
|
Visit Our Sponsors |
|
|
|
