The Bads could be considered New Zealand's organic counterpart to Roxette. The sharing of vocals between Dianne Swann and Brett Adams, along with their spot on harmonies and pop instincts, make them a fine addition to the string of male-female music duos. Their second album "So Alive" was released back in April, following up the 2005 critically acclaimed debut "Earth from Space".
The music of The Bads has a very earthy quality to it, but their alt-country songs are coated with a veneer of pop sensibility, sparkling with grade A production and flawless harmonies. Brett Adams has a voice well suited for straight-up pop rock, which balances nicely with the graceful tenderness in Swann's vocal performances. Swann possesses the sweet, warm tone of Olivia Newton-John, but can deliver it with edginess of Christina Amphlett (DiVinyls) when needed. You will ache with her as she croons through "Baby Come Home" and tap your foot along as she glides through the mid-tempo treat "First Night". However, my favorite track happens to feature Adams; "Drop in the Ocean" is an instantly memorable, banjo-infused delight that will please country and rock fans alike. "Gracious" gives us the best of both of their voices, which complement one another better than anything this side of Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.
The Bads are nothing but good - check them out today. In the words of Swann, "So Alive" is for "rockin poppin altin country" music fans.
iPOD-worthy: 2, 4, 5, 8
The Bads on MySpace. Official site.
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