Album Review: Divine Fits - A Thing Called Divine Fits

Divine Fits will invariably be tagged an “indie supergroup” because all three members come from bands with moderate mainstream success (see: Mister Heavenly and Monsters Of Folk for recent examples). Such connotations will either buoy expectations to incredibly (and unfairly) high levels, or elicit a hatred for the trio before a chord has been played. Both reactions are detrimental, because A Thing Called Divine Fits is the truest amalgamation of three iconic musicians to come out for some time.

It'll help if you're familiar with Britt Daniel (Spoon), Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs) and Sam Brown (New Bomb Turks), yet it's not necessary, as A Thing Called Divine Fits is a great rock album in its own right. Slinky electro opener, My Love Is Real, is a nice touchstone to influences outside of the band, but the album truly opens up when Daniel and Boeckner open their own book of tricks. The urgency of What Gets You Alone, the reverbed swagger of Would That Not Be Nice, the haunting staccato of Salton Sea – every track is infused with indelible character and surprising warmth. Daniel's vocals are filled with spark and verve, an instantly recognisable delight, like seeing an old friend after a long absence. Boeckner is brilliant, lighting up the angular warble of Baby Gets Worse, yet it's their cover of Boys Next Door's Shivers that's the proverbial cherry on top – done with reverence yet never perfunctory, it's a stirring rendition.

The album ticks over with meticulous pace, yet is eloquent by degrees – there's nary a note or vocal out of place. An excellent document of two incredible songwriters revelling in each other's company.