RECOMMENDED RECORD: Dianne Swann: The War on Peace of Mind ( /digital outlets)

 |   |  1 min read

Please Leave a Message
RECOMMENDED RECORD: Dianne Swann: The War on Peace of Mind ( /digital outlets)

From time to time Elsewhere will single out a recent release we recommend on vinyl, like this one . . .

.  

Because we have recently published an extensive interview with Dianne Swann about this album (and much else besides), let's just cut to the chase.

Here are eight, discrete originals across two tight sides of vinyl which embrace global politics (the brittle, arresting opener Gone Are the Days about climate change and Mother Earth “fighting back”), sensual and sexual longing (Reel You In), recreating yourself by learning from mistakes (Everything's New), a sense of loss and statelessness (Losing the War on Peace of Mind) and a truly beautiful love song-cum-plea in Show Your Heart (“what does it cost if you get it wrong?”).

Swann has one of the most expressive voices in this country – the range here is from rock (the tough menace of Rare Good Feeling) to delicate but powerful ballads (Please Leave a Message) – and she compresses her songs into snappy pop-length models of economy and structure.

With Swann on guitar alongside familiar compadres Chris O'Connor (drums), Ben King (bass, guitar), Dave Khan (keyboards), Sandy Mill (vocals), and in places Brett Adams (guitar), The War on Peace of Mind is one of those albums where there's not a bit of fat or filler, and just about everything could be a single.

Despite her mileage with Everything That Flies, The Julie Dolphin and The Bads, you get a sense that suddenly this – after more 35 years in the game – is Dianne Swann's time.

At last.

.

jb_logoYou can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here.

It is also available on limited edition vinyl in selected stores.



Share It

Your Comments

Ross McMillan - Oct 10, 2022

This really is a great album.

post a comment

More from this section   Music at Elsewhere articles index

Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime (Matador/digital outlets)

Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime (Matador/digital outlets)

Remarkably, it has been more than 15 years since Elsewhere started to write about what has been called “desert blues” or “Sahara blues” out of the Tuareg (and beyond)... > Read more

Anna Coddington: Luck/Time (Loop)

Anna Coddington: Luck/Time (Loop)

If the Volume exhibition at the museum in Auckland shows us nothing else it is that – from Fifties rock'n'roll to contemporary r'n'b – New Zealand musicians have been adept at... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

The Who: My Generation

The Who: My Generation

In a classic cover -- bassist John Entwistle sporting the famous Pop Art-referencing "Union Jacket" -- the Who's debut album of '65 captured the youthful energy, anger, self-doubt and... > Read more

Ziggy Marley: Wild and Free (Tuff Gong)

Ziggy Marley: Wild and Free (Tuff Gong)

After a faltering start with the Melody Makers, Ziggy (now 42) uncoupled his music from overly familiar reggae rhythms and incorporated African sounds, hooked up with rap artists, kept a... > Read more