Is it too early in the year to start claiming "Top Ten Favorite" or "Top Five Debut Album" of the year? I hope not, because I see this album being listed in both of those categories for 2006 - at least in my books. March 28th will bring England's own Free Diamonds debut album to America via Deep Elm records, and I don't think us Yanks will be the same again.

There Should Be More Dancing suggests just that. The album cover is a pair of Converses with bricks tied to the bottom of them, which leads me to think of some abstract reasons as to why. Then I think of the easiest answer - people are too scared to just DANCE now a days! This is an album that in its most broad description would be called dance-rock or dance-punk, but that's probably the only thing it has in common with its peers. I would really hate to limit Free Diamonds with this label because it is so much more. Speaking of labels, this release is far off the radar for Deep Elm, the label that is known for releasing "classic" emo and indie albums. There Should Be More Dancing proves that pigeon-holing and labeling music is now sillier than before.

Free Diamonds is a three-piece band made up of eccentric folks. Guitar/vocalist Scott Anderson's voice is strange, off-kilter and at times, bratty. His guitar lines go from harsh and punky to clean and cheery. I'm glad to hear that the guitar is not the lead instrument on There Should Be More Dancing. The percussion section really steps it up and is prominent throughout the whole album. At times Paul Cosgrove's bass playing is very groovy, and at other times it sounds like he should be playing upright bass in a jazz-trio. As a bass player myself, I am so glad to hear the bass really come through on the recording; it reminds me of Hot Water Music tracks like "Driving Home" and "Ebb And Flow." Dave Morton's infectious drumming holds Anderson and Cosgrove's playing together - which at times seems like they are going in different directions but are headed towards the same goal.

There Should Be More Dancing begins with the irresistible "International Gathering of Champions,", with Anderson referring to his bandmates as "a vampire who cannot fly" and "a werewolf who's afraid to try." After hearing this, you know you should be expecting half-ridiculous lyrics to match the obscure vocal delivery. Also see "The List Of Everyone" for silly lyrics: "there is a list of everybody I don't like, alright/ Congratulations, you're number one, two, three, four, five." Anderson and Cosgrove share the vocal duties, and combined their voices sound like the singer of the Blood Brothers/Neon Blonde - if he actually sang instead of screamed. The down tempo "Blind Boys" contains the most autobiographical and emotional lyrics on the album, "I've gotta heart that keeps getting broken a lot/I've got a heart that I've gotta keep fixing a lot."