That ‘difficult second album’ scenario seems to have been brushed aside by Sam Genders and his Diagrams collective with 'Chromatics'. This first new album for us in 2015 is an absolute gem.
Interesting and engaging songs. Sam has a very listenable voice and a whole host of instruments and styles cover the record. The sound is never overcrowded and you can just imagine the smiles on the faces of the band and the many contributors to the record, as they recorded this album.
2012's debut album "Black Light" was again a lovely effort but Chronmatics take it all to another level. In this fast moving world we live in, a lot can happen over the period of 2 years, “Relationships are a constant thread. In all their frustrating, exciting, mundane, beautiful, wonderful, sexy, scary glory,” reveals Sam when talking about the album’s themes of the album’s themes. “And there's lots of hope in the songs. They shouldn't be taken too literally mind you... in my head Chromatics is life in Technicolor; with all its ups and downs.”
Chromatics, is a collaborative process which includes vocals from, amongst friends and family members, The Smoke Fairies whilst the brass and string arrangements come courtesy of Danyal Dhondy and Sam Ewens. ‘London drummers Karl Penney, and (Cacophony drummer ) Fletcher Adams provide the bedrock whilst live band members Emma Black and Ben Malitskie provide Baritone Saxophone and Viola.
Leo Abrahams produced the record which really is a perfect way to get you on the road to recovery after all those Christmas and New Year’s Eve excesses.
Included with the CD package is the bonus 'Chromatics' instrumental album. Whereas most instrumental albums that cross our path can best described as 'Post-Rock', this extra album could be described as 'Breath of Fresh Air-Rock'. I found that an interesting way to play the album is to combine both discs on the ipod and play the instrumental version first followed by the lyrical version.
Ex-Tunng man Sam is now based in Sheffield where, obviously the sun must have shone last year when this album was being recorded. This album will be on the playlist for some time to come.
Pete
9/11
The band play The Lexington in London on Wednesday 21st January.
Other dates:
11th Feb - France, Paris, Le Point Ephemere
12th Feb - France, Lille, La Paniche
13th Feb - Germany, Berlin, Comet Club
14th Feb - Germany, Hamburg, Molotow Club
25th Feb - UK, Manchester, The Ruby Lounge
26th Feb - UK, Bristol, The Lantern
4th Mar - UK, Leeds, Brudenell Social Club