Much More Than A Kim Fowley Production (Never Reissued)

DYAN DIAMOND - IN THE DARK (1978)

 

After Venus & the Razor Blades' breakup in 1977, Diamond went solo and continued to work with Fowley. She recorded her only album, "In the Dark", and it's a perfect example of an LP that was a creative triumph but a commercial disappointment. Produced by Kim Fowley, this little known release showed her to be a spirited new waver with a passion for rockabilly and early rock & roll. The singer really soars on covers of Elvis Costello's "Mystery Dance", Chris Spedding's "Nervous" and Jimmy Reed's "Baby, What you Want Me to Do," but most of the songs were written or co-written by Diamond herself. Though a rockabilly/roots rock approach serves her well on "Animal Girl," "Back on the Strip," and the gutsy "Gonna Rock Ourselves to Death," she's equally captivating on the eerie, menacing title song, and the bluesy "Hot." One of the LP's best cuts is "Your Neighborhood," which finds the L.A. resident reflecting on the political and cultural events of the 1960s. It's worthy to note that Chris Darrow (Kaleidoscope) contributes guitar, slide guitar and more on the album.

 

WU (217 mb)