Black Snake Diamond Role Review

07/13/2005 4:10 AM, AMG


Robyn Hitchcock's first album after leaving the Soft Boys isn't that far removed from the edgy, warped guitar pop of his former band, which isn't surprising, considering the presence of former Soft Boys bassist Andy Metcalfe and drummer Morris Windsor. However, Black Snake Diamond Role removes much of the sharp, cutting guitars of Underwater Moonlight and replaces them with friendlier, ringing riffs. But that doesn't mean Hitchcock has gone soft -- he's just refined his technique. And that doesn't mean his songwriting has improved. Cut by cut, Black Snake Diamond Role is weaker than Underwater Moonlight, but that's relative -- the album contains pretty and twisted pseudo-psychedelic pop like "Brenda's Iron Sledge," "Acid Bird," "The Man Who Invented Himself," and "Do Policemen Sing?" which all rank among his finest songs. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide