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Description
**Diamond Rugs - *Cosmetics* (2015)**
Recorded during a grueling nine-day session in August 2013, *Cosmetics* arrived on February 24, 2015, embodying the spirit of indie rock's most defiant purists. This project, forged by John McCauley and keyboardist Robbie Crowell of Deer Tick alongside Ian Saint Pé of The Black Lips, functions as much a personal manifesto as a full-fledged LP. The title is an apt descriptor for a record centered, as the bio reads, on a "socialism vs. hell" showdown-a thematic tension that permeates every track and speaks to a band comfortable in its own rebellious skin. With the grit of New York street corners and the spirit of the Beastie Boys' *Paul's Boutique*, *Cosmetics* channels a raw, unapologetic energy that refuses to bow to the polish of modern production.
The album's sound is big and brash yet remarkably attentive to detail, with warm, Berlin-inspired horn accents punctuating tracks like "Thunk." Critics from *Paste Magazine* and *Glide Magazine* lauded the record as proof that rock and roll still brings musicians from all walks of life together, though some reviewers noted it ultimately failed to leave a lasting impression beyond its initial run. The seven-track project serves as a fun listen-through experience, though it lacks the depth of a true masterpiece-a minor grievance for those who appreciate its uncompromising attitude. It's an album that demands attention but doesn't quite demand worship.
Ultimately, *Cosmetics* stands as a curious entry in the indie canon: ambitious, slightly uneven, and undeniably earnest. It captures a specific moment in time when the DIY ethos was still potent, and when bands like Diamond Rugs could operate with both artistic freedom and a sense of purpose. While it may not rank among the year's essential releases, it remains a worthwhile artifact for those who value raw emotion and sonic experimentation over mere commercial success. A band that understands the dichotomy between artistic ambition and listener expectations. A band that, perhaps, should have pushed a little further.
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