Album Review:  DMA’s – The Glow  (I OH YOU)

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The Glow is the 3rd studio album from Australian trio DMA’s is a shiny fast-moving brand new airmobile of Indie Rock and Britpop, fronted by a gifted singer.

Their sleek, shimmering and charged music is based around the lead guitar of Matt Mason and the acoustic guitar of Johnny Took. The bright sonic Stealth Jet is Tommy O’Dell.

On stage and in the studio are added hired guns for the drum and bass engine. And more guitars of course. Velvet smooth and melodic on first acquaintance, but with depth and diversity on further listening.

Never Before has a sinuous and smooth dance groove, New Order style, from intertwined guitars. The feeling is of coasting over the endless inland plains of a vast continent. O’Dell sings with discipline and without affectation. There is just the right bit of honey in there. Perhaps this reminds me of The Archies, and their great uncredited singer Ron Dante.

Title track The Glow is a great Power Pop song and a great vehicle for the vocalist. It just rides effortlessly on a blanket of guitars. Is anybody real? / Does anybody feel?

Silver is liquid metal which flows and forms momentarily. Ringing acoustic guitars begin. An electric wall of sound ensues. Pretty like the Stone Roses.

Life is a Game of Changing reproduces Eighties British synthesiser Dance music. The bright production sound sparkles. The sentiment in the voice is the Smiths.

For a change of texture, Strangers begins as a Southern White Soul vocal and a simpler acoustic guitar accompanying. The singer’s intensity rises and he heads effortlessly into Britpop on the chorus.

Learning Alive begins with a simple piano melody. The singer matches this and when combined, there is a subtle Gospel feel. The song builds in intensity, and after a while there is a Pop Springsteen feel to this one. The guys cite him as an influence.

Hello Girlfriend is a highlight. The opening acoustic guitar and verse is Stone Roses. Then a drone of electricity like Jesus and Mary Chain. The singer is equal to this and rides through and over it all. Full of melody and passion and the power of the Girl Groups Sound. Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich.

And to match this is the equally magnificent Appointment. Slow and melancholy, acoustic guitar leads, the ringing electric one evokes the Smiths and so do the vocals.

I waited for hours/ Whatever commitment/ It’s all unforgiven/ Note to self, pull over/ For me if not for nothing.

Cobracaine is a final vocal tour-de-force for O’Dell. He rides up on sustained high notes while the rest of the group meld dissonance to smooth- as- velvet melody. Must be some kind of snake-oil nose-candy.

Sleek, shiny and pretty but with power and muscle. Rewards the more you listen.

Rev Orange Peel.        

Click here to watch the 13th Floor inter view with The DMA’S   

 

Rev Orange Peel
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