DMA’s – For Now
Let’s face it, Australian bands have a knack for a great melody. From The Go Betweens to The Hummingbirds , bands down under know how to jangle a guitar or two, and current kings of the pop guitar jangle seem to be The DMAs. Now on their second album, they’ve taken the indie guitar sounds of their Aussie musical ancestors and infused it with a hefty dose of northern English swagger. Think Temper Trap meets Oasis, then factor in the ubiquitous use of their tunes in various TV shows, and it’s easy to see why their blend of easy-going guitar songs has captured the hearts of the UK gig going punters, leading to sold out shows and rave reviews for their live sets.
It’s often difficult to capture the excitement of a band’s live sound in a studio, so for album number two they seem to have focused on creating pristine, shimmering guitar pop sprinkled with a double shot of Brit-rock instead. Title track ‘For Now’ has elements of swirling guitar parts and the whole sound floats out of the speakers like the long lost little brother of The Verve and The Music. ‘Dawning’ has massive guitar solos over an upbeat acoustic guitar backing that wouldn’t be out of place at the end of a Netflix series about the trials and tribulations of love, whereas ‘Time And Money’ has more uplifting melodies with those harmonious guitars.
‘The End’ is another catchy as hell vocal line, as is ‘Warsaw’ with its elevating melodies. ‘Do I Need You Now?’ is a more Embrace-like guitar tune, all slow and epic, creeping up on you with its soaring vocals, whereas ‘Lazy Love’ has an REM style aura about its infectious refrains with elements of The La’s in the melting pot too. The DMAs aren’t trying to revolutionise rock n roll, or take you to the dark side with mind warping musical trickery, they’re all about uplifting catchy anthems, and equally irresistible guitar melodies. They’re definitely going for the big stadium guitar-pop sound with plenty of easy going tunes , nothing wrong with that, at all and they do a damn dine job of it, but if you’re looking for something more alternative and heavier, then that’s not what the DMAs are about – they’re happy filling that corner where pop meets guitars, and ‘For Now’ proves they’re masters of it!
Release Date 27th April 2018 (Infectious Music)
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From the early days of creating handmade zines, in a DIY paper and glue style, interviewing bands around town, then pestering Piccadilly Records to sell them, to writing for various independent mags such as Chimp and Ablaze, writing about the music I love is still a great passion. After testing the music industry waters in London with stints at various labels, being back in my hometown again, writing about this city’s vibrant music scene is as exciting as ever. All time favourite bands include Sonic Youth, Nick Cave, Patti Smith although anything from electro to folk via blues and pysch rock will also do nicely too. A great album, is simply a great album, regardless of whatever musical cage you put it in.
