Diamond Rugs
Cosmetics
SYCAMORE
5/10
It seems a questionable move referencing The Traveling Wilburys (as their press release does) in describing indie-rock collective Diamond Rugs, but, deep down, both outfits are just a bunch of friends jamming. Add to that a lead singer whose personal sound is heavily influenced by Tom Petty (Deer Tick’s John McCauley) and the reference starts to make a bit more sense. However, while the family Wilbury continued to make fun yet thought-provoking super-jams throughout their short career, the Rugs’ slapdash garage-punk tunes seem to have run out of most of their steam on their sophomore release. The collaborative group—McCauley along with members of Black Lips, Dead Confederate, Six Finger Satellite, and Los Lobos—continues to succeed with its brash brand of aggressive garage-punk featuring sing-shouted lyrics (“Couldn’t Help It,” “Blame”), but the bouncy fun and joy of 2012’s Diamond Rugs seems to be absent on the latest LP. Look no further than the lackluster “Killin’ Time” to get the picture quickly.
