The Groundhogs - Black Diamond [RSD24] (LP)

Back on wax for the first time in almost 50 years and pressed to gold vinyl, Black Diamond is the ninth studio album from the seminal progressive rock band The Groundhogs - an inspiration to the likes of Alex Turner, Stephen Malkmus, Josh Homme and Underworld.

Treading a more commercial road, Black Diamond is an eclectic mix. Body Talk’s guitar break has a bit of Slash from Guns n’ Roses mixed with a touch of Blackmore circa Rainbow. Live Right sounds like a hungover Huey Lewis, while Friendzy is right out of The Black Crowes’ songbook.

The closing, euphoric title track is like a heavy soulful version of the Fairport Convention via Traffic, a muscle-bound take on folk with its jangling rhythm guitar and a phased lead that vocally, sounds a lot like Paul Weller.

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Tracklist:

1. Body Talk
2. Fantasy Partner
3. Live Right
4. Country Blues
5. Your Love Keeps Me Alive
6. Friendzy
7. Pastoral Future
8. Black Diamond