| Back in 2006 when I was able to review Blue Skies For Black Heart's third album " Love Is Not
Enough," I used way more adjectives and metaphors then what was necessary. So this time around I
wanted to see what had changed in their sound (if anything) and if they could get me charged up with
their new album "Serenades And Hand Grenades." Coming from the expanding music scene that is Oregon
(yes, expanding), these guys have come back with a professional looking senior album that I am eager
to take a listen to.
Their lead singer said that they were "making pop music the way it should be made." Their new album
sounds more indie to me and the similarities between this band and bands like The Fast computers,
The Shins, and the much older Beatles, seem to prove me right. Most every song is a light and
frothy up-beat dance complete with steady drums and proven delicate guitars. Some tracks like "Won't
You Please Stay" and "If I Wanted You Back," slow it down to a gloomy pace for their regretful
sounding resonance. Both attitudes seem conflicting for their type of cheery style, but everyone has
those bad days.
The lyrics are open windows into the house of BSFBH and we are able to see the sensitive (often
Beatles-esqe "I want to hold your hand") type lyrics which are classic. But, in the end it seems
that even though this album is an improvement over their previous, it really isn’t my cup of tea. I
love indie and who doesn't love the Beatles, but this sounds like its emanating from some several
decades old rock album that made girls scream and holler, while in today’s standards is just another
addition to the indie rock album collection.
The vocals are sound, the trumpets and piano are a welcome addition and the bubblely feeling you get
when you hear light indie rock is here. That may be enough to sway those who love it, but it might
be hard to get excited for it when we have heard this style all too many times before.
~ Pernell
April 19 2008 |
