Andy Diagram’s distinctive trumpet, later to famously adorn a string of James recordings, is rooted in the miniscule Manchester scene at the twist of the 80s (in bands such as Dislocation Dance and A Certain Ratio among others). Here it is tastefully returned to its true home, at the heart of the jagged post-punk howl of The Diagram Brothers.
With a remastered sheen, Some Marvels of Modern Science is an elongated version of their 1981 album, which sat so effectively in the Manchester undertone at the time. Although somewhat lost to large future events, no other band so effectively captured the feel of a time when, if one strayed from the mainstream, anything seemed possible… The recreation of a noise that swirled around The Beach Club, The Russell Club and various other dilapidated houses of Mancunian music is entirely welcome.
Beyond an image that suffered in an age when the music press retreated to embrace the new era of pop, there lies a surprisingly disparate collection of songs. Most were lost to us on initial release, but the interim period has seen them gain in melodic stature, rather than recede. Excellent throughout.
