"A Thought Crushed My Mind"
Blindside
I remember seeing these guys last summer on the Warriors Tour with P.O.D. I
remember how much these guys just wanted to make you spazz all over the
floor. I think they took that energy and stuffed into this album. Every
song, no matter if Christian or Simon is singing or screaming, makes you
want to convulse. This album is so much better than their self-titled debut.
It's TONS more hardcore-based but it still has that rawness we all loved on
the debut. Christian has changed his scream to high shrill from the back of
the throat (which is not done a whole lot in the hardcore scene). It hurts
my throat just thinking about it. With fast and furious songs like "As You
Walk" and the ever-popular "King of the Closet" (which many have already
heard on Songs from the Penalty Box 3), you can't help but wonder if
these guys could slow down. As a huge surprise to me, Blindside has included
a five-piece string orchestra (not including percussionists) into songs like
"As You Walk" and my favorite off the CD, "My Mother's Only Son." That song
("My Mother's Only Son") starts out with a quirky Blindside riff and flows
into a hardcore ballad as a crew shouts after Christian. Eventually, an
unexpected turn of music gives way to the orchestra with a Baroque-style
score! The song intensifies as Blindside joins the orchestra with distortion
and emotional pleas. Certainly a creative twist I have not seen in hardcore.
One thing that made me smile was the song completely in Swedish (since I'm a
Swede/Norske mix), "N�ra." The ending track, "Nothing But Skin," offers a
thought of how much power and glory Jesus has. Such passion is threaded
throughout the song with the repeating guitar line and weeping violins and
violas. "[Phatbat 1303]" is the secret track that makes ya bust a techno
move. This is an incredible CD. My friend overheard them playing it at a
concert inbetween bands and he was really surprised when I told him it was
the new Blindside CD. Do yourself a favor and just get it.
--Lars
Lars-O-Meter: 8 out of 10
Favorite Song: "My Mother's Own Son"
Record Label: SolidState Records