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Figureheads on the Forefront of Pop Culture Blenderhead |
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Stylistically they remind me of early Replacements, a trashy-edged Pop-fashion with an attitude of post-Punk excess. From the get go we're quickly visiting both ends of the spectrum, first with the melodiously but quirky opener "I Gave Her My Heart, She Gave Me a Pen," brilliantly titled, seriously written in spite of itself, about lessons learned, mistakes made, hindsight being that Devilish figure it so often is… then moments later, "Theology and Algebra" is a minute a half long distorted mess that rambles briefly about just that-unusual in that you would expect a less leaning intent with the hidden message in there somewhere, but no, fractions and equations are the order of the moment. Further along, the reformed Blenderhead comes off as being about what you'd expect considering their name, definitely not one to take the conventional route towards a destination laid out with self-employed obstacles and encroachment penalties at every angle. So just when you think they've reached another rung toward the top 40 of mainstream success, the foot slips knocking 'em down another notch where they'd probably be more comfortable anyway. "Versatile Solutions for Modern Living," serves a sonic oratory blast then subdues itself in tranquility, a turbulent tempo change that runs the gamut of dynamics before ending off in silence. Non-conventionality is the forte of Blenderhead where expectations are often met, just never quite is the obvious way. To try to crawl beyond such titles as "Transatlantic Solo Flight," "Emerald City Indie Queen," or "The Divine Minus Outside The Brackets" would be akin to aiming with your opposite hand-at the risk of getting dirty here, but as colorfully as the titles are, the lyrics that lurk beneath clear the confusion to where it all makes sense… and then there's the actual music, at once fiery, turbulent, but not an extremist's pleasure for all the low lying melody and grace which soften up the otherwise sore spots, but a more smooth-edged Emo-core foundry that's as witty as it is challenging. Relaesed by Tooth & Nail Records Review by Vinnie Apicella
[va85@columbia.edu] |