THE DIAMOND FAMILY ARCHIVE - ?S/T?

Firstly, if its angry men with guitars and an attitude you?re after, then quite frankly stop reading now. But if not, meet Laurence. Laurence Collyer is a busy man. Currently involved in a number of different bands and musical projects, he?s the big bearded, hat wearing, gem of Brighton?s musicians. Now, for those who care to remember a Brighton based pop-folk band by the name of Chimp (who released a full-length record and a follow up mini album in 2002-3) - then Laurence was indeed the bands frontman and focal point. See ? you learn something new everyday.

Putting brief flirtations with success aside, Laurence is currently involved with the gentle pastoral folk band Blanket, and also the up and coming Brighton based alternative country 8 piece My Little Problem. Clearly we have here a man who loves to play music.

After all that, we come to another of his musical creations - and one with which he seems to have felt most at home recently - The Diamond Family Archive. Originally starting off as a solo effort using looped guitars, lap steel and keyboards, the initial idea has since developed into a talented 3 piece band, who all play an array of various instruments that help create the atmospheric soundscapes that allow Laurences delicate songs to breathe. It?s hard to try and analyse what the Diamond Family Archive do, and the music they make - although beautiful is about as close as you?ll get.

As for the reason we?re here - to write about the record. This 9-track album is infact the first recorded material from the Diamond Family Archive, and yes it really is something special. Working elegantly as an album as a whole, the songs seem to seamlessly fit perfectly together as a whole body of work - the songs never straying from their fragile, atmospheric path.

Lyrically this record seemingly deals with the topics of redemption, love, loss and forgiveness - but often in a cleverly indirect way, as on the opener ?Crows? - contemplating the life of a crow living in the forest - the things they see, and yet we never know.

Lone finger picked banjo and guitar welcomes you into the simple yet hauntingly effective song ?Let In? - the minimal instruments built around Laurence?s distinctly personal and observational lyrics. "I?ve got a good heart / but I wont let it beat / in time with anything / no I wont let it win / over me". Powerful stuff. The melancholic piano led song ?Lazy? proves to be a short yet wonderful gem of a tune - the lap steel, guitar and banjo combining with some hazy backing harmonies that?ll be sure to have you nodding your head in happy approval.

Two main highlights though are the lap steel slide of ?End Of The Road?, and the finger picked guitar / harmonica number ?Greenfields?. As with most songs on this record the general songs are simple, yet the inspired accompaniment creates a wonderful mood, which elevates the songs to something that extra bit special.

These are an intimate and warm collection of songs that glisten and sparkle in an ever so chilled out way - thanks in part to Laurence?s soft hushed vocal style - sad, yearning, yet full of hope. Given a chance these songs will get under your skin and find a special place in your heart - just as this CD should in your record collection. Stunning.

9/10

Ian Chambers, Jul ?06

Release Date: Available Now

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