At the Sound of Urchin's website, a clip of tour mate Jack Black tells viewers, "There's one thing on this earth that I fear; it's the Sound of Urchin." Much unlike the brainless sea creature, this band is highly addictive and can rock like no other. Besides touring with Tenacious D, the Sound of Urchin have supported the likes of Ween, Cracker, Twisted Sister and Dio since the band formed back in 1998. Brooklyn natives Tomato and Seahag met Doo Doo and B-ill in New Hope, PA and formed the Sound of Urchin, releasing three EPs since then, alongside 2002's full length You are the Best. Originally released in 2003 as a limited edition, the re-released The Diamond, produced by Adam Schlesinger, is an album filled with great rock anthems that incorporate the band's varying influences.

There are two basic forms of songs on the album, ones with more of a punk influence, the others more like Flaming lips or a cheery Satan. Tomato sounds like an evil clown singing a nursery rhyme on "There Are People in the Clouds;" Monday's for school, crayons and cookies/mom says I got symptoms/so I'm not gonna go today. Ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha helps out on "Blown Away," with Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French on "Jack O Lantern." The band whips out their best Clash or Cheap Trick on "White Dove," which proves that versatility on an album doesn't have to be as bad as an eighties monster ballad. In case there's still any question on what is to be known of The Diamond, it is why other rock albums coming out today can't be as good.

Click here to listen to the Sound of Urchin (MP3/Real)