Diamond Rugs was started in 2011 as a way to hearken back to the early days of rock ‘n’ roll when country, blues, and R&B swapped dancing partners. Or, more accurately, Diamond Rugs started as a good time. Members of Deer Tick, the Black Lips, and Dead Confederate teamed up with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos to bash out crude-and-rude songs in between tours with their respective bands. A funny thing happened: the supergroup was too much fun, and earlier this year they put out Cosmetics, their second album.
The record is another sum of the individual parts, whipping itself into a rock-fueled frenzy. Berlin’s sax work adds a flavor that most garage bands want but can’t come close to replicating, like on the grimy-but-alluring “Voodoo Doll.” Download a Studio 1A version of the song below.
–Art Levy
