|
'You've Got To Hear The Music' is the second album from Dimmer, recording vehicle for Shayne Carter, New Zealand's premier explorer of the credible corners of rock in the past 20 years.
Picking up where the previous Dimmer album, the critically acclaimed 'I Believe You Are A Star', left off three years ago, Carter's hushed, dark pop tones settle into a delicious groove on this new eleven song set.
That last outing was a densely-plotted excursion into electronic music. The new album has an immediacy belied in the urgent demand of its title. The majority of the set was written in a single, month-long, outpouring of new tunes and the eventual recording retains an organic relish to match the songs' genesis.
And if you are looking for proof that "New Zealand's greatest, most natural rock star" (so crowned in The Listener) has quietly evolved into a first-rate soulman without losing his musical edge, it is packed into each of these songs. No self-conscious posturing, just tracks oozing the cool heat that is the holy grail of soul expression.
Carter's talent dominates of course - his sharply wrought lyrics, half-disguised vocals and exquisitely twisted guitar lines are all trademark Dimmer in themselves. One thing that helps in widening this album's scope is the presence of a much larger collaborative crew to the Dimmer enterprise, each adding carefully selected spice to the album's brew.
Appearing alongside other vocalists, notably Anika Moa on a number of tracks, brings out more of the croon in Carter's own voice. When Anika Moa and Bic Runga back him in separate channels on 'Happening', the effect of three of New Zealand's finest and distinctive voices sends more exotic chills down the spine.
The already memorable horn punch of first single 'Getting What You Give' comes from Fat Freddy's Drop. Guest producer SJD takes 'Case' on a string-laden sonic voyage while strings on 'Only One That Matters' are arranged and conducted by Graeme Downes. Prime beat and production collaborators Nick Roughan and Andy (Submariner) Morton keep things appropriately phat and orderly, with regular Dimmer stickman (and animated video genius) Gary Sullivan adding his trademark sly touch to many tracks.
Triumphantly, as opposed to so many second, third or fourth chapters, there's no rehashing of old ideas. This is distinctive and new - and most thankfully - as oblivious to current musical trends as Dimmer has ever been.
Many of us have been listening all along - Carter's musical output (school punk Bored Gamer, hook-baiting Double Happy, epic angst rocking Straitjacket Fits, and singular voyager Dim) is a canon more distinctive, appealing, and challenging than any other that we have produced in the past twenty years.
And it is as true as at any other point in his career that he is right on the money with this one. You've got to hear it indeed.
Band Members:
Shayne Carter (guitar, vocals)
Ned Ngatae (guitar)
Mike Hall (bass)
Andy Morton (keyboards)
Willy Scott (drums)
Anika Moa (backing vocals)
Artist Website
|
