Review Summary: Should've been, and could've been, much more.
Diamond Youth are a Baltimore, Maryland based rock band who combine an alternative sound with punk and indie. Often utilizing harmony ridden vocals, grunge-like guitar progressions, and hard-hitting punchy drumbeats, Diamond Youth have crafted a very unique and interesting sound in their short career.
Shake, the band's recently released six song EP, is the follow up to 2013's Orange, an energetic album that pushed the band into the forefront of the alternative/pop punk music scene. Shake is a disappointing next step in the band's career, only subtracting from Orange's best aspects and leaving the listener with few, if any, memorable moments. Shake is more of an "intro to Orange" than a standalone EP.
Shake begins with "Red Water", kicking off with a surf rock esque guitar riff that transitions into feedback with a Nirvana style buildup. The first noticeable flaw lies within the first ten seconds of the EP. "Red Water's" opening riff should have been eliminated as it doesn't fit with any other portion of the song, even though it is repeated after the verses. After the buildup, the listener would expect a loud pumping section, but the energy is cut off at the first note, starting the verse with a clean guitar and reverb heavy vocals. The rest of the track is decent, but does not compare with Orange's gripping opener "Cannonball".
The album advances with "Can't Shake The Feeling", an uninspired pop song reminiscent of when Maroon 5 was decent (wait, when was that again?). "Don't Feel Real" begins with a solo vocal and guitar progression going up and down a scale and ending with an arpeggio. This is a decent intro, an interesting riff and vocal combination, showing off the singer's talent. This continues on, and at the end soft drums enter while catchy lyrics "oooooo living here is like a dream, oooooo nothing is really what it seems" are sung, gradually increasing in their pitch. The fourth track, "Warm Scene" has a grunge musical backbone, similar to Stay Away off Nirvana's Nevermind, but disappointingly changes into a pop progression with cowbell hits leading the song back into the chorus. The highlight of this album is the track "Maryland Ice Cream", a fast, forty eight second, full speed ahead punk track reminiscent of the guitarst and drummer's work in the prominent Baltimore hardcore band, Trapped Under Ice. The song is an energetic powerhouse of fast chords and tireless punk drum beats. The momentum hits a brick wall, however, with slow closer "Follow Through", another pop tune with an atmospheric edge. The album's instrumentation is a strong point, and it is clear the band knows their way around their instruments. The problem is the songwriting, as the tracks just do not have the same power as the ones off Orange or past full length Don't Lose Your Cool.
Shake is a disappointing release by Diamond Youth, especially after the brilliant songwriting showcased on the band's previous effort, Orange. The band moves away from their punk edge and focuses more on pop elements, grouping Shake with boring radioplayed alternative. This release leaves a lot to be desired, and hopefully the lost dynamics and energy will be made up on the band's next record.
