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Review: 'MUTUAL BENEFIT'
'Love's Crushing Diamond'   

-  Label: 'Other Music Recording Co.'
-  Genre: 'Indie' -  Release Date: '7th October 2013'

Our Rating:
"One good thing about music, when it hits you feel all right". Bob Marley knew the score when he sang this in Trenchtown Rock.

There are some records (all too few and far between) that hit you out of the blue and fill you up with a warm glow. Love's Crushing Diamond is one such record.

This band from Boston may have a dull name that sounds like an insurance company but, make no mistake, this spectacular album is something precious.

One of the great things is that it comes with zero hype and the group, led by singer and song writer Jordan Lee, seem genuinely surprised and thrilled at the overwhelmingly positive response it has generated.

Released in a 12" vinyl format, as I write, the first run has already sold out making it necessary to hastily press more copies and to make the seven track available to download through iTunes.

You can stream it also direct on Bandcamp or Spotify and I would urge you to do so immediately.

It's a record I didn't realize I needed until I heard it and now I can't imagine my life without it.

It begins with Strong River and ends with Strong Swimmer; a watery theme and a uniform whole that from first to last never releases the magic hold over the listener.   

This is music that gently urges us to look beyond our daily cares and seek out experiences that bring more resonance and hope. "I called to quit my job today", Lee delicately sings on Golden Wake; a song which closes with the line "we weren't meant to be afraid".

The high point is Advanced Falconry with an achingly beautiful violin refrain and a chorus of female backing singers.

The female voices are even more prominent on That Light That's Binding with Jake Falby again on violin adding the sweetness.

In Statue of a Man they are on a train though the Midwest, a journey that glides by with reflections like "there's always love when you think there's none to give"
The quest for beauty and love also inspires C.L. Rosarian giving the impression that what connects these songs is the notion that fleetingly joyful emotions can be found if you look hard enough. Nevertheless, it takes a strong swimmer to overcome the tide of negativity that might engulf us at any moment.

This is uplifting music which is dreamily soft and graceful without being wimpy or sentimental.

There are shades of Mercury Rev's Deserter's Songs, Devendra Banhart's Rejoicing The Hands and an atmosphere reminiscent of Edward Scissorhands.

It is hard to think it it could possibly be improved as this is perfectly poised, intelligent pop music that really hits the mark.

This is no crush, this is real love.

Love's Crushing Diamond at Bandcamp
  author: Martin Raybould

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MUTUAL BENEFIT - Love's Crushing Diamond
MUTUAL BENEFIT - Love's Crushing Diamond