Tag Archives: DIIV

DIIV: Frog In Boiling Water.

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Everyone has a band that just eases their brain a bit. I’ve got a handful; some are really loud, and some have this sound that I cannot describe- but I know it makes life a little easier. DIIV fall into the latter. They have this sound that just levels everything out, and nothing can get in to disrupt that.

Their new record takes its name from a novel by Daniel Quinn and is a record that has a lot of conscious thought poured into it. You can really feel and sense every element of care that has gone into this record. No part of it’s been rushed, and that’s how you need to listen to it. Make time for YOU and just play this record. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to this record in the past week, but I can tell you that blasting it through headphones is the best way to really soak up this record. DIIV make music that makes the world a bit more tender, and we all know how brutally heavy everything is. When you play this record, everything feels lighter, and I get that every time I listen to them- it doesn’t matter what record; they just give you this reassurance.

The lead single, Brown Paper Bag is divine. It just feels like you are about to fall into the best sleep of your life. I could easily have the best sleep of my life listening to DIIV- they just give you this general ease once you listen to them and even though some of what they sing about is heavy, there is a lightness that makes it all okay. From Oshin to Frog in Boiling Water, DIIV have again proved themselves to be a band that just know exactly what they are doing. Sure, they have a certain sound, but it has grown so much. I remember hearing them for the first time in either 2011 or 2012, and it felt like the world stopped. I still get that feeling now when I listen to them. I can only liken listening to DIIV as that very light feeling of falling in love properly- there’s no weight, there’s no expectations- it just happens. A sense of freedom in your mind and heart.

For me, DIIV have never made a bad record and if they have- I refuse to acknowledge if they have of course! Songs like Somber the Drums and In Amber just show how incredible the band are, and you close the record with Fender on the Freeway>! Who gave them permission to make such a killer record! Come on now! It’s one of those records that fit perfectly, and of course some may call Deceiver as their best work so far- but when you listen to their records in order, you will see (well, hear) and how every record fits perfectly. Frog in Boling Water sounds perfect right after Deceiver. I just love this band, but you knew that.

To even attempt to pick a favourite song after a week of almost religiously playing it- I’m going between Everyone Out and Little Birds. I think Little Birds is my favourite lyrically and vocally, but I’ve spent a fair amount of time listening to Soul-net and it may be one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard this year. I can’t choose. The record is produced by Chris Coady, and if you’ve listened to anything Chris has touched- you will know it is out of this world. Which is why Frog in Boiling Water is DIIV at their best again.  You can really hear that DIIV are a band that will just keep going and going; but still with something to say. Some keep going and should perhaps either quit or take a break for a while, but DIIV are not that band. They are a band that just clearly get better with every record.

Frog in Boiling Water shows such growth in the band, and it also shows that they are absolutely nowhere near done. DIIV are band that always make you excited with what they’re about to do next, and they’ve been doing this for well over 10 years now- that’s going nowhere. Just like my love for them.

DIIV: Deceiver.

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Just to make it clear before I go into a possible nonsensical rant about how great the new DIIV record is, I just need to be clear that this is their record of their career. We can dwell on past records if we want, but trust me- this is the record of their career.

The record opens with the glorious and soothing, Horsehead. It’s like early RIDE but with My Bloody Valentine heaviness (Sonny Diperri produced it, so there you go!) It is such a powerful start to the record, and when it kicks in- it really gets you in the gut. It is most certainly my favourite opening on a record this year. It has so much determination and beauty in it. It is 5 glorious minutes of heaven. The remaining 9 songs have a lot to live up to. Fortunately I have utter faith in DIIV and know that this record is perfect from start to finish.

The 10 songs on this poetic and soulful record is a proper headphone experience. You have to make sure your first listen to this record is via headphones, and maybe your second too. But when you are ready, play it so the world can hear. Soak in that beautiful reverb and distorted vocals. Let the reverb take you on this captivating journey, and don’t let go of wwhatever the record makes you feel.

 

 

Deceiver is a record that is an ode to recovery, acceptance and the desire to do, and be better. I won’t delve into Zachary’s personal life as it isn’t the place, but if you’re a fan of DIIV you will know the struggles he has had and what it took to make this record. Of all their records to date, Deceiver is the most exposed and vulnerable. Zachary’s voice at times on this record (especially on Like Before You Were Born) his vocals have the same gentle tone to it like Daniel Johns. I absolutely adore his vocals on this, and it sounds like a sweet lullaby. His vocals have always been soothing, but on this record he’s truly outdone himself. The whole band have outdone themselves, and I can definitely say that this is one of the most important records of the year. One listen, and you’re just hooked. In the 44 minutes that this record has you for, you feel like you are floating through time and space. DIIV take you on this gorgeous journey where it is okay to be completely open and brutally honest. I mean, it is anyway but some think it isn’t but whatever.

There is so much darkness on this record, but the way it has been produced and put together makes you put it to one side, and you see and hear different sides of this record. Like I mentioned, it is a really vulnerable record with some tense subject matter but it’s done in a way that makes you just connect. It’s a record that is easy to love and completely connect with. One of the songs that Zachary has spoken about is Skin Game and how it is a dialogue between two characters, and when you dissect the lyrics and take them in, you truly pick up on this. For me, the chorus is so powerful; “Fighting to get through the door, but I can’t live like this anymore. They gave us wings to fly, but then they took away the sky.” Given what Zachary has been through, you can picture him having the conversation with himself or just anyone who has/is struggling with addiction or any form of demon. It’s a tough listen, but the beauty in the record allows you to just massively respect the band for being this open.

I’ve gone back and forth with trying to pick a song that resonates the most with me, and I think I’m going to have to side with Between Tides. One line on this song just seems to have stuck with me more than most, and quite possibly more than any song I’ve heard all year. “I’m just waiting for the storm to die out” it is so simple and to the point, and sometimes that is all you need. There is so much sadness on this record but there is also so much hope. I think this line just sums it up. It’s the acceptance of how bad things are, yet knowing it may just pass. It has to pass. I guess that’s the kind of thing I need to hear right now. My storm may never pass, but I have to wait it out. I’ve got no other choice.

 

 

DIIV have made the record of their career; the songs Zachary and Colin have written together are just masterpieces. They are the purest form of poetry, and the most hard-hitting songs we may hear all year. The production is nothing short of divine. It is a heavenly body of art, and I cannot wait to see this record live (providing the dates don’t sell out before I get a ticket!) I have loved DIIV since the start, and I am so utterly proud of what they have done on this record, and how unafraid they have been to push themselves on this. They have absolutely outdone themselves on this record. I have never heard Ben, Colin, Zachary and Andrew sound so good and so together. This is such an important record for many reasons. Acheron closes the record, and if you ever wanted to hear what a phenomenal group of musicians sound like- then soak up this 7 minute beauty. It will leave you covered in goose-bumps and in awe of what you have heard.

If you’ve never listened to DIIV before- start from the beginning then work your way on to Deceiver and you will hear just how much they have grown, and developed a sound that is so sacred to them.

Put your headphones on, turn the lights out and play Deceiver until you feel calm again. It’s a record for the soul; a sacred listen that you cannot help but lose yourself in completely, and utterly.