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Two Of Diamonds, Mick Harvey's new album, is an intelligent set of haunting and captivating songs with a touch of country music melancholy. As the multi-talented Australian musician proved in his 2005 release, One Man's Treasure, he is a skilled composer and songwriter. A gifted band accompanies him here, and complements Harvey's baritone voice quite nicely.

Harvey starts this new collection with "Photograph," a slow, haunting tune, and then gives us three love ballads in a row. "I Don't Want You On My Mind," "Sad Dark Eyes" and "Here I Am" are heavier on the guitars, but not necessarily happier in subject matter. Track two is a song of denial. He doesn't want to have a certain girl on his mind, because it shows a sign of weakness.' "Sad Dark Eyes" has a Spanish gypsy feel to it. He begs the redhead with the sad dark eyes to be his till the end of time. "Here I Am" is the saddest of the trio. Backup vocals accompany Harvey on this song about a faraway, lost love. It contains the most poetic lyrics of the three:

You are the blood of my heart, the breath of my lungs. Why do you run for cover? I will always be your lover. I am the promise never broken and my arms are ever open.

The only cheerful song on Two Of Diamonds, "Out of Time Man" is reminiscent of The Doors' "Love Me Two Times" and "Alabama Song." It's catchy and upbeat. It's too short though. This listener wanted more of this song, and more of its kind on the album.

All the songs on this album are worth a listen, however, tracks seven and eight stand out musically and lyrically. "Everything is Fixed" is a Depeche Mode, Johnny Cash-tinged song. Two very different artists, yes, but anyone who has heard Cash's rendition of "Personal Jesus" knows what I mean. James Johnston's guitar stings in this jailhouse gloom, where prisoners, including Jesus, are being "fixed" with trumped up charges that are going to stick.' "A Walk on the Wild Side" has a few Lynard Skynard/Allman Brothers-like guitar riffs that hook the listener. Harvey directly addresses "Sinner" with cleverly worded warnings:

You've been playing, not praying. One day of praying and six nights of fun. The odds against going to Heaven: 6 to 1. One day you're sorry, then six in the bordell. Satan is waiting to take your soul to Hell.

Harvey's casual story-telling style and country/blues-influenced voice are at their best on these two compositions.

Mick Harvey is a talented musician who's created yet another well crafted album with Two Of Diamonds. Find out more about this artist and his music by visiting his website: http://mickharvey.com

Learn more about this author, Adela M. Brito.
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