polaroids of androids

There seems to be few words that successfully encapsulate the sound of Melbourne's Fabulous Diamonds. Minimal might be appropriate, but it's the kind of description that suggests the group lack substance and depth to their sound which, although the group build everything around neat and somewhat simplistic arrangements - is not at all fitting. Atmospheric also somewhat fits, but the group's unique brand of engulfing soundscapes isn't on the same epic scale as the imagery that description is often tied with.

The stark arrangements across the seven untitled tracks are formed around a series of melodic, often horn-based twists colliding with steady rhythmic lines. Nisa Venerosa pounds away on the drums in a forceful, almost monotone manner providing the perfect soulless backdrop for Jarrod Ziatic to drown with layers of keyboard effects and various indistinguishable sounds. At times this forms a thick, commanding wall of sound, while on other occasions the music is thrown out naked and vulnerable with nothing more than a steady tapping or stripped back loop left on the canvas.

The song structures created are far from linear, but seem to follow a natural pathway all the same. There aren't too many jolts that railroad the arrangements but instead the record's unpredictable nature is achieved through sharp rising insertions of sonic sounds, rather that explosive outbursts. The group's chanting male/female vocals also add a lot to their zig-zag approach with the poetic lyrics often existing on a layer behind the musical compositions, forced to fight their way to the surface.

If there is a downside to Seven Songs it's that the nature of the music seems destined to slowly engross the listener, yet the group often don't give it a chance to do so. Running at just 24 minutes in duration, it's hard to not feel that each of the songs would have benefited greatly if they had been given the opportunity to build to their natural, climactic high point and then relished in the chaotic collision that formed instead of either wandering around aimlessly or simply sputtering out to nothing.

This record won't work for everyone first time around and some won't be able to give it the kind of attention it needs. Those however that are struck by the creative freedom which Fabulous Diamonds playfully exist in will more than likely find themselves completely lost in the record's enchanting musical spectrum after a few listens.