Customer Reviews

Every Damn Time

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Like their labelmates, Radio Moscow, this Tennessee band is a multitasking duo, with vocalist John Wesley Myers doubling on Fender Rhodes and providing the bottom end with bass pedals, and drummer Van Campbell also providing backing vocals. Unlike Radio Moscow's psych-turned-heavy rock, Black Diamond Heavies are closer to the blues and several rungs lower on the hi-fi scale. Myers' electric piano carries the melodic and rhythmic loads in place of guitars (there are none!), and his vocals cross Tom Waits bowery growl with Oscar the Grouch's bark.

The Heavies share a lo-fi sensibility with other Bomp/Alive artists such as The Coffin Lids and Milky Ways, but rather than punkishy raw, the combination of electric piano and overdriven vocals is soulful. The 8-minute "All to Hell" adds gospel touches of Hammond and horns, and the ring of the Fender Rhodes adds a funky Southern flavor to "Signs" and "Might Be Right." This is grungy cellar blues, best heard with a beer in one hand and a beer in the other hand, as well. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]

When I first heard this record, I thought there had to be at least a half a dozen people in the band. I quickly learned that there were only two musicians that formed BDH; Van and John. The tunes are very raw and catchy, John's voice is gruff and soul shaking, while Van's drummin' is somewhere near punk rock, but keeps it within the raw soul sound.

I've played this record over and over and just can't get sick of it. I got the chance to see them live in San Francisco, and was blown away by the performance. This record is a must have - if you don't dig it at first, listen to it again and you'll be hooked.