Album Details

• Artist: Mick Harvey
• Album: Two Of Diamonds
• Label: Mute
• Year of Release: 2008
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2008-03-28

You know what to expect with Mick Harvey; down tempo droning dirges and romantic acoustic set pieces that walk a razor's edge between erotic and demonic. The former Bad Seed adds to his catalog of murder ballads and tales of gothic longing in style. Two of Diamonds is moody, acoustic guitar/piano based dirges to the shadows of places and people we had hoped to spend more time with. Tasteful and devastating assistance from James Johnston on electric guitar and organ deepen the and stress the more emotional peaks.

The build-to crescendo (or sometimes build to stasis) of tracks like "Photograph," "I Don't Want You On My Mind" and "Home is Far From Here" drip with regret and bile, yet betray a vulnerability that draws in the listener. Other songs, like "Blue Arrows" and Slow-Motion-Movie Star" are gorgeous rays of hope. Harvey has delivered a stark, ancient and modern ode to personal myth, like an update of the "Pat Garrett" soundtrack with words revealed.

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