When Black Rebel Motorcycle Club recorded the track “Whatever Happened to My Rock ‘n’ Roll” for their debut album, B.R.M.C., a decade ago, I doubt they had any idea how much more pertinent that question would feel in 2011.
What has happened to rock ‘n’ roll? Well, not a lot of good lately. Earlier this year, one of the greatest modern-day proponents of the genre, The White Stripes, broke up, and Jack White has spent his time since producing hip-hop tracks for Detroit-based artists Black Milk and, surprisingly, Insane Clown Posse. Promising rock artists Kings of Leon’s latest record sounds like an even crappier version of U2, and this past summer they canceled all remaining dates on their U.S. tour after frontman Caleb Followill’s breakdown during a July show. Lastly, overproduced and somewhat underwhelming electronic-laced music from artists such as LMFAO and Lady Gaga is what is currently blowing up the airwaves, and while that music can be fun on a dance floor, it’s mostly about style and fails to contain the true power and spirit found within the heart of rock music. What’s a poor little rock ‘n’ roller to do?
In 2009, rock’s newest and greatest hope, a three-piece from Southhampton, England, Band of Skulls, released their debut album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey on indie record label Shangri-La Music. Ever since then, the band has been touring relentlessly in support of the album opening for acts such as The Dead Weather and the aforementioned Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. They even released a live album showcasing their raucous and frenetic songs as they’re meant to be heard with last year’s KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic. In spite of all of this, none of their singles have garnered much popular traction on the charts.
Don’t feel bad for the band yet, though. Band of Skulls are one of those bands you’ve heard but have probably never heard of. If you’ve watched television at all in 2011, odds are you’ve heard one of their songs without knowing it. The first track off Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, “Light of the Morning” was featured prominently and heavily in Ford’s most recent ad campaign for the new Mustang, and while that track most certainly rocks, it is the second song from the album (and its fourth single) that holds the most promise for the future of rock ‘n’ roll.
“Death by Diamonds and Pearls” is an anthemy, rough-and-tumble track that contains pretty much every element you could want from a good rock song. The lyrics are straight to the point, discussing problems with a woman, which is a topic that dates back to rock’s roots in blues and country music: “She grew up in a nice neighborhood/But it didn’t do her no good/Cause she’s just a sum of her influence/Hell, and I can’t tell you the difference.”
There’s a simple chorus that everyone can sing along to. (“Death by diamonds and/Death by diamonds and/Death by diamonds and pearls/Death by diamonds and pearls”). Most importantly, there are all the music elements you want from quality rock ‘n’ roll. It has simple, rumbling basslines, fast and crashing drums and cymbals, and an elongated breakdown complete with an epic, distorted guitar solo that ends the song the only way artists in this genre should end a song: rocking out.
“Death by Diamonds and Pearls” was the only one of the singles from Baby Darling Doll Face Honey to actually chart, reaching a paltry and almost meaningless No. 138 in the UK. With their continued touring through Europe, the U.S. and Canada during the rest of 2011 and the promise of a completely new album coming out in early 2012, their future and that of the genre looks fairly exciting. If any of their next singles sound anything at all like “Death by Diamonds and Pearls,” there’s not a doubt that they’ll be roaring up the charts—or at least in the next new car commercial.
