This instrumental 4-piece sounds as if there are three guitarists and a drummer. It's anybody's guess with these liner notes - 4 names listed without instrument credits. On the track entitled “Instruments? Set As Required” there appears to be a bass guitar somewhere in the mix as well. Or is it one of those baritone guitars THE CURE uses? Anyways, the six stringers bounce, noodle, and arpeggiate all the while eschewing the use of effects (not even distortion), barre chords or solos. DIANE AND THE SHELL appear to be mining similar sonic aesthetic territory as GASTER DEL SOL or THE REDNECK UNDERGROUND at least as far as the guitars are concerned.

About 8 compositions in, a piano enters the mix as the bass becomes more prominent. For the next piece, which is the title track, a violin is added. The last third of “30,000 Feet Tarantella” almost sounds like a different band with the piano and violin making quite an impact. The drums all but disappear and are replaced by bells for the final track “Scandinavian Landing”. Six minutes in they come back for a couple minutes of crescendo action. Good stuff going on here. Not quite anything I haven't heard before but this band is appealing nonetheless.

- Herring

OFFICIAL SITE: www.dianeandtheshell.net

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