The Contrast
Fade Back In
(Rainbow Quartz)
The Rainbow Quartz label is becoming reliable as a refuge for no-nonsense guitar pop that could be of another era. The UK’s Contrast lace each sardonic observation with a Squeeze-y, Byrds-y chime and the singer sounds like Bob Geldof. Most songs are written in the second person, so whoever “you” is, they are missed, even if “all your ethics suck.” The Contrast is more impressive in command than in vision. Power pop purists will lap up each variation, but to others it may be inaudible.
—Doug Taylor
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.
