Setting the mood is Through The D; laid back with a cigarette in one hand and a can of Carlton Draught in the other, a deep but simple beat bounces along, joined by a slightly surfy guitar riff rolling along. “Livin’ on a fortnightly-basis, Monday’s my day…” title track New Start Again moans over the Centrelink line and the ailments of competing in the Sussan Women’s Fun Run, maintaining a natural, summer-y demeanour. Flying Teatowel Blues is reminiscent of Paul Kelly’s Sweet Guy – possessing a hangover, it is a dark and lamenting with basic rock and roll guitar.
Dick Diver’s uncomplicated mix of drums and engaging guitar melodies help create a piece of work that is easy to listen to, however the album is laced with moments of simple lyrical genius that build the imagery behind their stories, small bits and pieces that most can relate to.
In Hammock Days it’s “lemon-rot stains the brick work in the yard” that adds small detail to the song, while Keno sets the scene with “ignoring each other like two toothbrushes in a cup.” It’s these little elements within Dick Diver’s tunes that really make this debut album the perfect Melbourne summer storyteller.
BY ALEXANDRA DUGUID
Best Track : New Start Again
If You Like These, You’ll Like This : Oh Mercy’s Expats and Eczema but performed with the duelling vocals of Black Francis and Kim Deal
In A Word : Unperturbed
