As you probably know if you read a lot of my reviews I love finding great new music whether it’s a local band or a great new talent from the US or the UK, Over the last few years though I’ve found myself listening to a lot of European Rock. I love stuff that does the basics well, cares about the ‘sound’ and even if it echoes the music of the 70’s or 80’s has the balls to take a new angle.
‘Blended Brew’s second album does just that – it takes the rich sounds of 70’s Rock and mixes it up a bit. In this case taking a melting pot of influences and finding a balance that, whilst you can clearly identify the ingredients, you never quite expect the results the mix will bring.
Opener ‘Ancient Alien’ is a case in point there’s Purple in there, there’s a hundred 70’s Blues Rockers but i reality it’s like neither and it’s here the real interest lies. ‘Stay in the Shadows’ adds lashings of authentic 70’s stylings but unlike that fresh opener its rather ‘Rival Sons’ and of course as a fan of that band this is in no way a criticism.
Best of the best here are probably those songs that offer that point of difference like the opener and ‘Electrified Loser’ – these are the songs that sound like the true voice of the band and the latter has a feeling of the revelatory day wen The Cult found Rock.
And lets face it a great song is still a great song so the soulful Crowes meets Zeppelin meets Purple of ‘Woman I Need You’ and it’s drum sound against those rich keys and killer vocal are to die for! As is the more bombastic ‘Give Me Your Love’. Then there’s Delta vibes of ‘Run and Hide’ and the gentle piano balladry of closer ‘Don’t Say No’ – so much good stuff to sink your teeth into!
I just have to say this about the musicianship – I love the vocals, love the keys and the guitar, and bass is great but Christoffer Beck those drums man! Wow!
Better than Rivals Sons? You judge…
8.5/10
Tracklist: Ancient alien | Stay in the shadows | Woman I need you | Electrified looser | Rival Cunt (Give me your love) | Shove it down | If the streets could talk | Run and hide | Renegade | Don’t say no
Line-up: Jimmy Månsson: Vocal & Guitar | Lord Sebastian Groset: Piano, Organ & Blues Harp | Christoffer Beck: Drums | Lasse H. Mortensen: Bass
