Groundhogs, The - Black Diamond (RSD 2024)

Back on wax for the first time in almost 50 years and pressed to gold vinyl, the ninth studio album from the seminal progressive rock band. An inspiration to the likes of Alex Turner, Stephen Malkmus, Josh Homme and Underworld. Treading a more commercial road, ‘Black Diamond’ is an eclectic mix. ‘Body Talk’s guitar break has a bit of Slash from Guns n’ Roses mixed with a touch of Blackmore circa Rainbow. ‘Live Right’ sounds like a hungover Huey Lewis, while ‘Friendzy’ is right out of The Black Crowes’ songbook. The closing, euphoric title track is like a heavy soulful version of the Fairport Convention via Traffic, a muscle-bound take on folk with its jangling rhythm guitar and a phased lead that vocally, sounds a lot like Paul Weller.