Album Review: Blue Fish Diamond, Radio Silence
Opening with the propulsive 'Servants To The Hand,' the band immediately sets its political stall out with lyrics such as 'History repeats like a bad disease.' Over subtle electric guitar lines and organ swells, the track becomes a rallying cry for those disillusioned by fear-driven politics, a theme that recurs throughout.
The production, courtesy of Gavin Glass, brings polish and emotional clarity to an album that often juxtaposes the personal with the political.
Planet Blue is a jazzy, bass-driven highlight, weaving in news soundbites from Greta Thunberg and Donald Trump amid a haunting crescendo. It's an ambitious piece that captures the global anxiety around climate change without feeling didactic.
Elsewhere, heartbreak and human connection take centre stage. Tonight is a stripped-down love song that draws strength from Murphy's understated delivery, while One More Chance, fronted by Matilda O'Mahony, channels Broadway theatricality with sweeping strings and a soaring vocal performance.
Musically, Radio Silence never overreaches. There's a clear through-line to influences like Paul Simon and Lou Reed, especially in the more intimate, spoken-sung passages.
The title track is a dreamy standout as it balances reflection and regret with elegance and seems tinged with some shades of Pink Floyd at times.
Although a few moments drift into familiar territory, the band's ability to shift gears – from folk balladry to the post-punk rush of the excellent 'I Don't Know' – keeps things feeling fresh.
Radio Silence is a rich, thought-provoking listen and proof that Blue Fish Diamond is crafting something special.
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The Irish Sun
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- The Irish Sun
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