Unquiet Nights shine a light on the enigmatic story of Diamond And The Missing Son in their latest single and video — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Let other groups hamstring themselves with irony and self-conscious cynicism. These Belfast indie-rockers go all-in on sincerity with this fervently rocking spotlight track from their just-released third studio album Seasons In Exile. You can’t get more direct and earnest than singer-guitarist and songwriter on this:
“You are the only thing that keeps me hanging on
And on and on
There’s nothing else could ever come between us
’Cause we are the diamond and the missing son.”
Is it a promise from a father to his literal son? Maybe an oath of fealty sworn by best mates, like Mathers and his stalwart partner, drummer Rodger Firmin? A tip of the hat to their sometime musical collaborator, Francesco Piciucchi? Given the recurring appearances of studio tuxedo cat Whitesocks in the song’s suitably stripped-down black-and-white performance video, there might be a more whimsical option.
Fittingly, Unquiet Nights are a group nobody can seem to pin down. In their time, they’ve been compared to everyone from Tom Petty to The Vines to Bloc Party (for whom they’ve opened). For their part, the band call their sound “a distinctive blend of classic rock influences with elements of prog, folk, Britpop and Roy Orbison.” Sure, that clears it up.
Whatever it is, you know it when you hear it. Diamond And The Missing Son forges an instant impression with indelible hooks, muscular drumming and full-bodied guitar that makes sophisticated use of multitracking without ever coming off as cluttered. Mathers even gets off a few measures of nimble slide. Other songs on their album exhibit a more plaintive and mournful quality without sacrificing an iota of energy.
Recorded predominantly at the band’s own studio, the recently built Credential Sound, the album furthers the reputation for faith-restoring rock they’ve enjoyed with tastemakers and fans alike since they emerged from a rehearsal space above Belfast’s Limelight club. In the ensuing decade, they’ve performed in nine countries, releasing three albums and four standalone singles. The group’s biggest breakthrough came when their track George Best City — which references the late and legendary football player for Manchester United — got used in a sports documentary.
And now we have Seasons In Exile — which was a more impromptu affair than these nights are used to. The ball started rolling when Mathers and Firmin went into the studio to rework Diamond And The Missing Son, an old number from the recesses of their repertoire. Just a few marathon late-night sessions later, they had the guide tracks to an entire new album. “We do think that this has been a very worthwhile experiment in starting the process without many full songs,” Mather says. “We hope the album pleases the people who stuck with us this long.”
Watch the video for Diamond And The Missing Son above, listen to Seasons In Exile below, and find Unquiet Nights on their website, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
