The Dig are the kind of outfit that make being an NYC rock
critic, discovering new bands, worth it.The four-piece, with origins in grade school in Westchester County, have
live shows (QRO review) that make you
wonder why they aren't humungous already, as they manage to do a dirty grind
with indie-skill.They have been
building a following, and are now finally out with their full-length
debut, Electric Toys, that lets you put all those great rock ‘n’
roll songs on repeat.
Neither a wild party-garage outfit nor a serious
indie-auteur, The Dig instead grab the best of both worlds, thanks to an
undeniably hook-laden rhythm, awesome outlook, and yet still have a ‘there’
there.The indie-grind to "Two Sisters
In Love", "She's Going To Kill That Boy", "He's a Woman" and "I Just Wanna Talk To
You" really can't get any better - except for the explosive choruses, where
they somehow do.The songs
that work great the first time you ever heard them, live in some dingy club,
work just as well on record.
The Dig can also relax, yet retain their strong rhythm on
"You're Already Gone", "Sick Sad Morning" and "Shadow".They can play with echoes, such as the
catchy "Penitentiary" or more haunting "Look Inside".And they can even go sad, like opener "Carry Me Home" or
closer "Feel Like Somebody Else" - though those aren't the best picks by the
band to start & finish Electric Toys,
and while the quieter "For All Your Sins" is nice, one can't help but be
impatient for The Dig to bring back their rock.
But that's because they do it so well.Delayed & seemingly self-released, Electric
Toys should be the thing that makes
everyone else sit up and take notice.But The Dig should be Big already.
The Dig are the kind of outfit that make being an NYC rock
critic, discovering new bands, worth it.
Brothers Hays & Ryan Holladay now reach Epoch heights as Bluebrain on Soft Power.
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