Chad VanGaalen: Diaper Island

Chad VanGaalen
Diaper Island
Rating: Grrrr

In addition to his solo output, Chad VanGaalen is probably best known as the producer for Women's last two albums. He records out of his home studio and infuses a homespun, earthy quality to his records, yet always throws in some curve balls, like weird synth freakouts, and use of quirky instrumentation. Diaper Island, his fourth full length, and his most fully formed, is such a shockingly well-produced record, it provokes audio equivalents of a double-take. While there is still a homey quality to the production values, the record as a whole is musch more clear and concise. VanGaalen records primarily in a low-fi, late 80s early 90s alt-rock manner, evoking artists as diverse as Pavement, Miracle Legion, Grizzly Bear, and early post-punk Cure. The album veers back and forth from gorgeous, almost country-folk ballads, and raucous guitar raveups; linked by his wry lyrics.

Diaper Island starts off deceptively quiet. The one-two punch of "Do Not Fear" and "Peace On The Rise" show VanGaalen's gorgeous use of harmony. "Peace On The Rise" is buouyed along on chiming guitars and VanGaalen's lusciously supple voice, descending into a coda of synth drones.



The core of the album is its driving guitar tunes, and what really takes the album to another level. "Burning Photographs" uses a steady beat and one of the hookiest guitar lines in recent memory to imbed itself in your cranium.



"Replace Me" has an insistent beat and fuzzed out guitar line that echoes early U2.



"Blonde Hash" thrashes and careens like an out of control party guest.



"Freedom For A Policeman" bops along on a 60s surf vibe.



The quieter tunes are no less spectacular. Overall the album has a very melancholy tone, and these tracks fit well in the whole scheme, allowing VanGaalen's lovely voice to stand out. Angelic harmonies color the delicate "Heavy Stones."



His voice is particularly haunting on the sublime "Sara."



"Wandering Spirits" evokes the brilliance of Grizzly Bear's ambient meanderings. It is ghostly and spine-tingling.



The final track is certainly the most devastating. "Shave My Pussy," with its provocative title, is a haunting song about self-worth and the toll pressures of living and relationships have on someone. The man singing feels less than nothing, closing the song with the lines:

"Maybe if I shave my pussy
Then you'll love me
Baby, will you love me?
I'm really feeling ugly"



At first listen, Diaper Island seems haphazardly put together, as if he threw the tracks in the air and put them in order by which they landed. There is almost a distinct, non-flow to the sequencing. Only by repeated listens to you get the ebb and flow of the tracks and see how brilliant a songwriter/producer VanGaalen has become.

Rating Guide

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.