Fantastic Distraction

Description

Fantastic Distraction is the sophomore and final album by the American indie rock band Dime Store Prophets, released on SaraBellum Records in 1997, a division of 5 Minute Walk Recordings, distributed in the US by WCD/WEA. (5 Minute Walk was created in April 1995 by Frank Tate, run as a Christian ministry, supporting various charities such as homeless shelters and orphanages.) Tracks 1, 2, 3, and 5 were produced and engineered by John Keane at his John Keane Studios in Athens, Georgia. Tracks 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 were produced and engineered by band member Masaki Liu at his One Way Studios in Concord, California.

Lead singer Justin Dillon Stevens would later release Love is the Greatest Revenge with his new band, Tremolo.

The Dime Store Prophets are from San Francisco which is just far enough south of Seattle to allow the sun to lighten up that looming gloomy grunge sound. This rocks a kicks the proverbial in the most accessible way. The huge voice of Justin Stevens, the Del Amitri territory of the groove and the arty lyrics give a nod towards our own Halcyon Days without either ever having heard of the other. When you release great debuts, like ‘Love Against The Grain’ was, then comparisons are inevitable. This one is more immediate and the songs don’t linger. Shorter and punchier but no less in quality. The other major plus of this band is the variety. Each song sits out with it’s own personality. Highlights have to be «All About You» with its list of sometimes (told you about the Halcyon Days like), “Sometime I am who I am/ Sometimes I am who I want to be”, leads us into a song about a willing spirit but that weak, weak Mesh. «Yeah, Sure, Okay Monet» builds image on image and speaks of “the burden to create, colours wash, inspiration lost. yeah, sure, okay Monet” but inspiration is not lacking here as they lead us into the mystery of faith, “I am in love with the mystery.” Art ‘n’ roll. [Steve Stockman, Cross Rhythms, August 1997]

CD tracklist:

01. Fantastic Distraction – 4:23
02. Break The Blue – 3:00
03. All About You – 3:15
04. Boxing Shadows – 4:38
05. Soothsayer Speaks – 4:35
06. Suckers Alchemy – 4:31
07. Yeah Sure Ok Monet – 3:32
08. Mystery – 5:12
09. King Of The Tragic Ones – 4:07
10. Heavy As It Goes – 4:56

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by SaraBellum Records.