Dig - Self titled

I know very little about Dig. I read a positive review of their debut self-titled album around the time of it's release in 1993. This review, and the fact the album was produced by Dave Jerden, then one of the hottest producers around due to his work with Jane's Addiction and Alice in Chains, convinced me to shell out some of my (then meagre) finances and take a chance on this album - and it was worth it! While the album is by no means a classic, I felt there was enough promise there for the band to eke out an existence - yet I failed to hear anything further about them until researching for this post, when I learnt that Dig were dug (ha ha) by no less than Courtney Love -  kiss of death, or what?

Dig (the band) inhabited the space between alternative and hard rock without neatly fitting into either category. Arguably their most novel aspect was that they were a three guitar band. And while Dig did not sound like that other, slightly more famous three guitar band, Radiohead, there are some similarities in how the guitars are employed: rhythm and lead guitars, and guitars providing soundscapes and textures. This provides a lush and dense wall of sounds, expertly orchestrated by Dave Jerden. Imagine shoegazer guitars atop hard rock songs and you're kinda there - definitely a unique sound with no obvious influences. While you may be able to argue that the songs on their debut album may not quite be there, you can't argue that the sound isn't!

Dig (the album) avoids the pitfalls of many debut albums by including a diversity of song styles. Let me know is driven by a crunching heavy riff, dropping back into more melodic segments during the verses and choruses, featuring tasteful use of controlled guitar feedback and wah-wah. Conversation starts subdued and sparse, above a background of (guess what?) conversation, before exploding into the chorus, and dropping back into a melodic bridge. Believe, arguably the standout track, features dense and heavy riffing in the verses before changing gears into a melodic and joyous chorus. Ride the Wave is fast and urgent. Fuck You is built around a great chugging riff that worms it's way into your subconcious, and has a catchy melodic chorus. Anymore and closer Decide are both slower, atmospheric tracks that make excellent use of the three guitar orchestra.

Dig - 1993 - Self titled

1. Let Me Know
2. I'll Stay High
3. Unlucky Friend
4. Anymore
5. Conversation
6. Believe
7. Feet Don't Touch the Ground
8. Ride the Wave
9. Green Room
10. Tight Brain
11. Fuck You
12. Decide
[hidden track]. Tahoe Hoes

FLAC: Part 1, Part 2
MP3