You never get a second chance to make a good first impression; that’s what they say. And, as debut singles go, “Little Wonder” certainly leaves an indelible sonic mark on the listener. It tells me that here we have a band that understands the spirit of rock and roll. That doesn’t make them nostalgic or stuck in their ways; The Missing Diamonds is nothing if not the perfect sound for today’s discerning and hungry rock fan. It is more that, they make music that both captures that genre’s soul and allows it to move with the times.
This opening salvo from The Missing Diamonds is undoubtedly the sound of contemporary alt-rock, but you can hear so much more running through the band’s DNA. There is the echo of gritty, staccato garage rock, and there is the sound of anthemic ’70s blues rock, the best of which, like this song, understood pop accessibility as well as it did rock prowess. Classic rock riffs abound, and punk-infused energy emanates from the rhythm section. It has it all, everything needed to keep the spirit of rock and roll alive and moving confidently across today’s musical map. At last!
This is the second great slice of rock and roll I have reviewed in as many days, originating from Burton-on-Trent, England, I’m not sure what they are putting in the water, but someone let me know where I can get my hands on it!. It explains why that town’s beer is so universally popular.
