Retro Spins: Divinyls - Temperamental


The moment of truth was at had for Divinyl in 1988. After struggling to make international success with their prior two albums, their label, Chrysalis, pulled no punches with remaining, and founding, band members, Christina Amphlett and Mark McEntee. Either make it, or break it.

Recording of began in 1986, but immediately came with issues and snags. Guitarist Bjarne Ohlin left ,and upon the insistance of producer Mike Chapman, drummer JJ Harris was fired. Before knuckling down, the band focused on some local gigs in Australia, but upon completion, bassist, Rick Grossman, left the band, checking in to rehab for addiction to heroine.

The duo returned to Los Angelos in 1987 to formally begin recording. with keyboardist Kenny Lyon, and a new lineup featuring, guitaris Tom Lang, drummer Warren McLean, and bassist Tim Millikain, the album commenced at Rumbo Recorders...Then it was shut down due to noise complaints from Neil Diamond, who was working in the nextdoor studio. The band moved to Sunset Sound Records with Chapman to finish the album.

Drama, drama, drama!

When I fired it up, I was greeted by the title track, which led into the amazing Back To The Wall. At this point, I determined that either Chrysalis and / or the general public were deaf. This album was fantastic (so far). This momentum didn't let up, and by track five, I was still all in on Temperamental.

I have to agree with Amphlett. The album features some of the band's best material. This was a record produced with emotion, pain, and a fight to prove themselves. Sadly, that didn't seem to be the same sentiments of their label.

After its release, and in debt millions of dollars to Chrysalis for advances on prior albums, promotions, and tours, the writing was on the wall. Their label dropped them, and figuring they'd yet to make it big, simply opted to write the band off as a tax deductable bad debt.

Again, I didn't understand this. By track six, I was 100% all in, having not heard anything bad. At just over the halfway point, Temperamental was gearing up to be a perfect album. Ultimately, this didn't happen. There were some weaker tunes on the back half, but overall, still a very enjoyable listening experience.

Reagrdless of my opinion, as noted, the label dropped them, and it wouldn't be until 1991's hit single, I Touch Myself, that Divinyls would finally reach the US audience they had so long been looking for. However, this success was short lived, quickly lost in an era of grunge. While band would release 1996's Underground, it would be their last studio album.

On a side note, it was kind of enjoyable to write a continuation piece over the past three days, going through the history of the band. I'd kind of like to do that again, but I would need to first dig through my CD's and see what bands I haven't already poked holes in that would prevent that from happening. Stay tuned.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
May 6, 1989

 

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