Diagonal ~ England

Diagonal 4 (2021)

As noted recently for the newest Jordsjo, Viima, and Hooffoot albums, I took a lengthy break from buying retro prog albums. God knows I already have enough of the real thing from the 70s, plus just about every newer act since the 1990s playing similar. As with those three bands, Diagonal were a favorite, and it was only a matter of time before I got back on the saddle of the 1970's progressive rock horse. I skipped over their 3rd album, which received mixed reviews, though I'm betting I'd enjoy it. Perhaps I'll acquire it some day too. In any case, I've revisited both Diagonal albums in recent years, much to my continued satisfaction. And my reviews stayed static, meaning I captured properly what I heard initially. Let's see if there newest one ignites my imagination in a similar fashion.

Right away they start off with the psychedelic guitar, which is always a plus in my book. Melodic sax enters, and we are back into the 1971 English landscape. As noted below, Diagonal do not play in the tradition of the English prog bands that made it big in America. But rather those that played the UK club circuit to reasonable success, before hanging it up or changing their sound dramatically. When talking retro prog, Diagonal is about the only band that tread down this path. One whose trail still needs clearing. After hearing the album in full, I'd declare the opening two tracks as the winners of the bunch, as they are more representative of their trademark sound.

While Diagonal has always put out LP length albums, this one is on the short side. Ironic then, that on 4, the band stretches out more into languid guitar based jams. There's less kinetic changes here, and leans in towards space rock, a twist that begins to reveal itself about halfway through. With that in mind, I don't think Diagonal was able to scale up on their first two albums. At least from my point of view, though one can hardly blame a band for trekking a new path forward. I'm sure repeated listens will enlighten me further. A well done album, though I'm not sure if I'm willing to say it's essential. At least yet. ProgArchives, for their part, rates it Diagonal's highest with the caveat it also has the least amount of ratings.

Ownership: 2021 Cobblers (CD). Digipak with lyrics and recording info. Acquired in 2026.

3/16/26 (review)

 

The Second Mechanism (2012)

If the debut laid down the premise that Diagonal were to be the retro progressive rock band to be reckoned with, then The Second Mechanism fulfills that conclusion. Perhaps more studied than their first opus, with even more twists and turns to keep the modern short-attention-spanned listener completely enthralled - ironic given Diagonal's 1971 disposition. But such was the state of that era - and ours. Diagonal are a band that have gone from great to greater, and I can only imagine what they will come up with next. Let's hope the group continues to explore these paths that were not as tread upon as many people might initially presume. Diagonal are walking the little known side trails from the main highway. And there are many aural treasures to be found.

Ownership: 2012 Metal Blade (CD). Digifile. Acquired in 2013.

1/29/13 (review); 10/11/23

Diagonal (2008)

Diagonal are the first modern UK band, that I know of anyway, to truly capture the essence, atmosphere, and sound of the original progressive rock movement from 1970-1971 England. Many groups have come along and tried their hand at generating the sound of Yes, Genesis, ELP, Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Renaissance, King Crimson, and Van der Graaf Generator. And while all of those groups are worthy of imitation, they only represented a fraction of the original UK movement. Of course, they were the ones that made the big time, so it's more than understandable how they attracted more admirers than others. But Diagonal has clearly absorbed the record collections of the deep divers - in particular the Neon, Dawn, Transatlantic, Vertigo, and Deram labels and their stable of bands. With Diagonal you'll hear references to bands such as Cressida, Samurai, Raw Material, T2, Beggar's Opera, Gravy Train, Spring, Clear Blue Sky, Diabolus, East of Eden, and Indian Summer. But here's the most important part to understand: They have absorbed the influence, not copy it. And so you get an entirely new album within a familiar context. And because the band has clearly studied this era in depth, not to mention incorporating the period instrumentation (mellotron, Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, fuzz bass/guitar, sax), they are able to create an extract of the genre. What that means for us modern buyers is an enhanced product - perhaps even exaggerated. For my tastes, Diagonal have created the perfect retro progressive rock album. An album to be held up as an example of how to do it right. If you're a student of the genre, then let Diagonal be your teacher.

Ownership: 2008 Rise Above (CD). Slipcase. Acquired in 2009.

2009; 1/20/11 (review); 4/21/18

1/20/11 (new entry)