After a triumphant series of reunion gigs with legendary Flying Nun band the Straitjacket Fits in 2005, Shayne Carter now returns with his third Dimmer album, and an album that recaptures the 'live band vibe' he undoubtedly picked up while playing with his old outfit.
The latest Dimmer incarnation includes drummer Dino Karlis (HDU), guitarist James Duncan (SJD, Punches) and bassist Justyn Pilbrow (Elemenop, Relaxomatic Project) as the core band members, backing vocals from regular ring-ins Anika Moa and Bic Runga, and cameos from Dean Roberts, various members of the Brunettes, and even a touch of euphonium action from The Mutton Birds' Don McGlashan.
With the reunion gigs still fresh in many people ears, you might be forgiven for mistaking the riff-driven single 'Scrapbook' and the swirling guitars of 'Under the Illusion' as Blow-era Fits' tunes, until the sweet backing vocals of Moa and Runga swoop in, lifting the sound to even greater heights than the hallowed ground of Carter's former outfit. Indeed, the album sees the continued rise of Carter as one of New Zealand's finest songwriters and performers. Many of the songs are stripped back, spacious affairs, allowing his distinctive, nearly whispered delivery to sit comfortably in the foreground, perfectly complementing the album's central theme of broken relationships (just sample the titles: 'You're only leaving the hurt', 'I won't let you break my heart', 'What's a few tears').
Fans of the Straitjacket Fits and Dimmer won't need too much convincing to add this album to their collection, and if you're not one of those fans, we suggest you become one now. Recommended. |
