TAG: My Brightest Diamond

Jun07

Vinnie Paz, Season Of The Assassin (Review)

Vinnie Paz

Season Of The Assassin

Released by Enemy Soil


Enemy Soil is an army, better yet a navy. The new imprint is coming strong in June with a trifecta of forceful releases: the Dutch project (Stoupe & Liz Fullerton, perhaps the strongest record of the three), another Reef The Lost Cauze solo joint and this the first solo effort from label founder Vinnie Paz, surprisingly devoid of JMT producer Stoupe's beats. In any scenario, Philly is firmly on the topographical map again. That said, as professional a rapper and hip-hop impresario as Vinnie Paz is (and oft thought-provoking lyrically), ...
Jun17

My Brightest Diamond – A Thousands Shark’s Teeth (Review)

My Brightest Diamond

A Thousands Shark's Teeth

Released by Asthmatic Kitty


Wow, where did this gem come from? My Brightest Diamond's second album does more than avoid the sophomore slump, it shines as a modern masterpiece in dramatic orchestral pop. If the fantasy drive behind Bat for Lashes was too much for you, then this is the perfect alternative in female vocal based cinematics. The album begins with a fragile guitar line spiderwebbing gently across a chilly soundscape. Songstress Shara Worden's siren call boldly rises over zooming guitars and colossal cymbal crashes. By the time the sweeping harmonies of 'Ice ...
Dec11

My Brightest Diamond – Disappear (Remix by James McAlister) (Review)

My Brightest Diamond

Disappear (Remix by James McAlister)

Released by Asthmatic Kitty


While they've already collaborated quite nicely on the way-off Broadway compositions of Sufjan Stevens, MDB's Shara Worden and drummer James McAllister really hit it off here. Shedding several layers off the much more orchestral original, McAllister leaves behind a candy coating of keyboards, prominent percussion patterns and a cautious acoustic guitar. Available only on iTunes as part of an exclusive EP, it's a promising preview of My Brightest Diamond's forthcoming full-length of reinterpretations and remixes.
Aug25

My Brightest Diamond – Bring Me The Workhorse (Review)

My Brightest Diamond

Bring Me The Workhorse

Released by Asthmatic Kitty


Continuing the relatively new tradition of solo musicians naming themselves as bands ' thanks for the confusion, Mangum ' Shara Worden, aka My Brightest Diamond, delivers one of the best debuts of the year with an operatic voice that mixes lo-fi rock with classical elements. I guess it's mildly interesting to mention she toured and recorded with Sufjan Stevens, but girl can sing on her own and keep the album diverse enough to make nearly every song an interesting listen. With upper register-vocals and dramatic buildups, songs like 'Gone ...