- Release date:
- July 22, 2008
- Artist/Band name:
- Low vs. Diamond
- Record label:
- Epic
- Official Web Site:
- http://www.lowvsdiamond.com/
Backstory: L.A.'s been a hotbed of almost-there indie rock talent in the past couple years: first Cold War Kids, then Airborne Toxic Event, and now Low vs. Diamond have climbed out of the tight-knit local community into the major-label coffers, in this case taking a love of anthems along for the ride.
Why you should care: At some point, one of these new L.A. bands is going to get really, really big—and you'll want to be there first.
Verdict: “Don't Forget Sister” is one of the most powerful opening tracks in recent memory: over a drums-'n-power-chords, Who-meets-Arcade-Fire blanket, singer Lucas Field wails a runaway tale that's impossible not to headbang and footstomp along to. It's the sound of a band arriving, but the rest of the album finds them running away; though there are plenty of Bono-rific reach-for-the-rafters moments (“Heart Attack,” “Save Yourself”) and introspective Chris Martin piano ballads (the pre-crecendo of “This Is Your Life,” the wailing “Annie”), nothing feels nearly as insistent or immediate as the opening number.
X-Factor: None of the band members is actually from L.A.: they're all transplants, from Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco and Atlantic City.
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