The Diamond Center

Claws & Flaws (Superfluous Umlaut)

Crystallizing the airy, iridescent glow of Great Lake Swimmers and early My Morning Jacket, Diamond Center debut Claws & Flaws dusts off a rough gem of ashen alt.country, soused with reverb-heavy guitar and moonlit atmospherics. The smoky vox of singer Brandi Price recalls Neko Case, particularly in opener “Hard Rain,” while the rollicking “Cry Baby” treads closer to the New Pornographers. The woozy wall of production works especially well with aching standout “Go” and the psych-folk of “Not Fair.” While much of Claws & Flaws tends to wander, such as the slow lament of “Waterside” and eerie “Saved Away,” which drones nearly to the 10-minute mark, Kyle Harris’ psychedelic guitar acts like lighter fluid, kicking up flames anytime the momentum starts to fizzle. Having recently relocated to Lubbock from Athens, Ga., the Diamond Center should have no trouble taking root in Texas.

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This article appears in September 26 • 2008.

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