Based in Toronto, Dearly Beloved consists of Rob Higgins (bass, vocals, guitar, piano), Niva Chow (vocals, theremin), Robert Hasebe (guitar) and Aaron Morrice (drums). Their current album, Admission, was released at the end of January and was produced by Daniel Rey, known for his work with, among others, the Ramones and Misfits.
The whole record was recorded in only 14 days with the group, who have previously opened for Cancer Bats, July Talk and Eagles of Death Metal, believing that Admission is the closest they’ve ever come to capturing their energetic live shows, which take place all over Canada, Europe and beyond.
The album explodes into life right from the off with the hard-hitting “Rip,” a rip-roaring introduction to what this band who formed in 2006 sound like today. It’s followed by “These Data” (surely it should be “This Data?”), which has more of a psychedelic edge. The third track is “I Tried to Leave,” the latest single, which is more ‘straight-up’ punk. There’s no doubting its catchiness.
“Who Wants to Know” comes across as a bit of a racket, while the more low-key “Currents” is an interesting listen, even if it goes on a bit too long. Elsewhere, I particularly enjoyed the quieter and more ‘spaced out’ “Boxing Days” and the strangely melodic “Future Shock” – “When You Had the Choice” is fairly good too.
This is not an album I’d rush out and buy, although I can see why the very inventive Dearly Beloved have a pretty large and dedicated fanbase among those more dedicated to this type of stripped-down, garage punk music.
Admission is out now.
For more information on Dearly Beloved, visit their official website.
