THE CONTRAST
Fade Back In (Rainbow Quartz; CD)
Fade Back In is the third album in less than three years by the finest (and clearly the most prolific) band from Peterborough, UK! As it is with almost any Rainbow Quartz release you'll hear, the emphasis is on that psychedelic jangle that so many of us love, and The Contrast do it better than most. Rugged guitar figures, thick productions and Paisley aural images are anchored by the deep, rich vocals of David Reid, who may be best characterized as a more upbeat John Cale, and these vocals are often accompanied by the octave-higher harmonies of Spencer Hart. Songs like 'Give Me One More Chance,' 'Catch The Spark,' 'Flatpacked' and 'Disconnected' make it easy to understand why Little Steven constantly raves about these guys. 'Smart' takes the 'Mayor Of Simpleton' theme a step further, and 'Your Starring Role' would definitely be a big hit in a musical world of our own invention. The only downcast number on Fade Back In is 'Something Tells Me' which, appropriately enough, could fit nicely on a John Cale album. Yet another excellent disc by these gents who, at the rate they're going, should have their next album ready for release in about three weeks (just kidding, folks!).
www.rainbowquartz.com
David Bash