DIANE BIRCH

The Velveteen Age

2011-02-21

In the follow-up to her break-through debut "Bible Belt," Diane Birch teams up with the neo-soul ensemble The Phenomenal Handclap Band to do a set of covers from late '80s/early '90s rock groups such as The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Joy Division. Why? If you missed the narrative of Birch's younger years last time around, she was raised by strict Seventh Day Adventist parents (dad was a pastor) and never heard rock 'n roll until later in her teens. Once she caught the Goth rock muse, it was breakaway time (the subject of most of "Bible Belt") and these were the songs that liberated her spirit. Birch has a great voice and she's in fine form. Her version of Echo and the Bunnyman's "Bring on the Dancing Horses" is particularly excellent, but the entire collection rings. These covers are not rote versions of the originals, which may or may not cause programmer angst. I like her chutzpah. 2/10 MJVD R-Contemporary (Brit)

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 11/2016

    Blue Healer
    Blue Healer

  • reviewed 01/2009

    TORONTOSAURUS REX
    Torontosaurus Rex

  • reviewed 05/2015

    The Outer Vibe
    Pass it on (EP)

  • reviewed 04/2013

    THE BASICS
    Ingredients

  • reviewed 03/2008

    Grievous Angel
    Grievous Angel

  • reviewed 06/2017

    Matthew Ryan
    HUSTLE UP STARLINGS

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.