Diamonds & Debris

Diamonds & Debris
Studio album by
Cry of Love
Released1997
Recorded1996–1997
GenreRock
LabelColumbia
ProducerJohn Custer
Cry of Love chronology
Brother
(1993) 		Diamonds & Debris
(1997)

Diamonds & Debris is the second album by the American band Cry of Love, released in 1997.[1][2] The band supported the album with a North American tour.[3] The first single, "Sugarcane", peaked at No. 22 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.[4] Cry of Love broke up shortly after the album's release.[5]

Production

The album was produced by John Custer.[6] Robert Mason took over lead vocals and guitar, replacing Kelly Holland; it took years for Cry of Love to find a satisfactory replacement.[7][8] Lead guitar player and songwriter Audley Freed wrote most of the album's songs without knowing which vocalist would join the band.[6] Freed used a variety of guitars in the studio, but chose to trust the quality of the instruments and amps rather than spend a lot of time trying to capture a specific tone.[9] Some tracks were influenced by gospel music.[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Fort Worth Star-Telegram[12]
New Straits Times[13]
Winston-Salem Journal[14]

The New Straits Times wrote that Cry of Love offers "more of the raunchy, blues-tinged rockers that made its debut, Brother, so enthralling," writing that Freed "remains the propelling force, driving most of the tunes with some vibrant and vigorous Hendrixian riffing."[13] The Hartford Courant determined that "things take a turn for the better at about the halfway point ... Mason's lyrics take on a more distinct and powerful presence and the band's Southern roots begin to rise to the surface."[15] The Sunday Mail opined that the band's "vital, loud, guitar-driven approach lightly tinged with old-fashioned chug-along rhythms, works well even in this alterna-rock era."[16]

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram concluded that "Mason tries, and a few of the songs have a genuinely soulful kick, but Diamonds is mostly a pale shadow of the past."[12] The Wichita Eagle deemed Diamonds & Debris "a straightforward, guitar-oriented rock 'n' roll record, untainted yet influenced by country and soul."[17] The Winston-Salem Journal noted that the songs "pay loud 'n' proud homage to the '70s riff-rock movement."[14]

AllMusic wrote: "A little too musical for their own good, these Southern rockers fail to place their own personal stamp on Diamonds & Debris' many mid-tempo walk-throughs and forgettable ballads."[11]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Empty Castle" 
2."Hung Out to Dry" 
3."Sugarcane" 
4."Fire in the Dry Grass" 
5."Georgia Pines" 
6."Warm River Pearl" 
7."Sweet Mary's Gone" 
8."Revelation (Rattlesnakes & Queens)" 
9."Bring Me My Burden" 
10."Sunday Morning Flood" 
11."Diamonds & Debris" 
12."Hung Out Redux" 
13."Garden of Memories" 

References

  1. ^ Menconi, David (1 Aug 1997). "An alternative to your typical August". The News & Observer. p. WUP16.
  2. ^ "Riff-Rockers Sound Sincere, If Confusing". Applause. The Augusta Chronicle. 8 Aug 1997.
  3. ^ "Revamped Cry of Love returns with a vengeance". Journal Star. Peoria. 21 Aug 1997. p. C8.
  4. ^ "Mainstream Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 39. Sep 27, 1997. p. 101.
  5. ^ Menconi, David (13 Oct 1997). "End of the road trip". The News & Observer. p. C1.
  6. ^ a b Norland, Sarah (4 Sep 1997). "Cry of Love sticking by its guitar rock sound". The Dispatch and the Rock Island Argus. p. B3.
  7. ^ Moore, Clarence (24 Aug 1997). "Fans get earful of band's new singer". Journal Star. Peoria. p. C18.
  8. ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1996. p. 177.
  9. ^ Ellis, Andy (Dec 1997). "Cry of Love: Audley Freed expands the palette". Guitar Player. Vol. 31, no. 12. p. 26.
  10. ^ Holt, Linda (24 Sep 1997). "Rock On". The Arizona Republic. p. C1.
  11. ^ a b "Diamonds & Debris Review by Vincent Jeffries". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  12. ^ a b Ferman, Dave (22 Aug 1997). "Cry of Love, Diamonds & Debris". Star Time. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 14.
  13. ^ a b Murthi, R.S. (24 Oct 1997). "Cry of Love – Diamonds & Debris". Arts. New Straits Times. p. 4.
  14. ^ a b "Cry of Love, Diamonds & Debris". Winston-Salem Journal. 19 Sep 1997. p. E8.
  15. ^ Goode, Steve (25 Dec 1997). "Diamonds & Debris – Cry of Love". Hartford Courant. Calendar. p. 7.
  16. ^ Teo, Kris (25 Jan 1998). "Cry of Love: Diamonds & Debris". Music. Sunday Mail. p. 20.
  17. ^ Pocowatchit, Rod (5 Sep 1997). "Cry of Love sings about experiences". The Wichita Eagle. p. 1B.