Psycho's Review of Blindside's Fourth Album
I have been listening to Blindside since the first self-titled came out years ago. Back then Blindside was a very unique band with potential, but the quality of the recording wasn't great. Then came "A Thought Crushed my Mind". The sound improved but still was missing that "punch". More than a couple songs were in Swedish (Blindside is from Sweden). Then came "Silence". Don't get me wrong I have always liked Blindside; but this was the icing on the cake. I love that album! Now finally we have "About a Burning Fire" and Blindside does not disappoint it's fans. The best tracks are "All of Us", "After You're Gone", and "Where the Sun Never Dies". The only problem with the album (which is why I only gave four stars instead of five) Is that the album as a whole isn't as strong as it could've been. Take "Silence" for example. Start to finish it's a strong album. I love every track. The new album, however, has weak spots in it. Some of the songs I just skip through because there's nothing really that sticks in my head about some of the tracks. Perhaps I would've given "About a Burning Fire" five stars, if Blindside never came out with "Silence" before. Overall; It is worth getting this CD for sure, but if you can - pick up "Silence" too. Oh, and hey, If you want to hear some funky stuff. Order the first self-titled CD.... It's crazy weird but awesome.
High highs and low lows
I absolutely loved Blindside's previous release, "Silence." It's among the top five best CDs I've ever heard, with the raw yet beautiful vocals and amazing lyrics. However, this review is not of "Silence", but of "About a Burning Fire." So here we go.I bought this album today for $7.99 at Target. I've been meaning to get it all week, but I've had hours upon hours of play practice. I had insanely high expectations, because I've always known what a talented band Blindside is. My expectations, although somewhat fulfilled, were somewhat disappointed as well.
"Eye of the Storm" is a *perfect* album opener. Christian still has that way of calmly singing one word/line then screaming the other. Nobody else can pull it off quite like he does. Still talented guitarist, drummer, etc. I absolutely love "Eye of the Storm", "Follow You Down", and "All Of Us": the first three tracks. Then come my problems with the album.
"Shekina" is just ruined by that terrible shrieking lady who's singing in Swedish or whatever language that is. I know it's unique, but it sounds absolutely horrific and gave me a severe headache. If that was cut out, the song wouldn't be nearly as bad. Then "Hooray L.A."...it's just weird. I don't like it either. Tracks 6 and 7 aren't all too impressive either, so the album goes into a clear slump at this point.
The title track, "About A Burning Fire", completely overcompensates for the lacking of the previous tracks. It is amazing and quinessential, 2000% Blindside, that all fans will love.
Although I don't hate this album, I don't see it being a must-must-must have. Sure, it was worth the $7.99, but my personal preference will always be their 2002 release, "Silence", where every song is perfection at its most amazing.
great summer cd
I don't care if this cd came out during the winter, pump this stuff up in your car while on the highway and your going to have a hell of a time. This is blindsides best effort. Eye of the storm is the best song of the year so far and the last song, About a Burniing fire has an incredible emotional charge at the end. That song leaves a great impression on how the cd is as a whole.
Other great songs are follow you down, all of us, and shenika, but there definitly aren't any fillers on this disk
Pretty Good!
OK, I love Blindside. However, this album is nearly pop. Well, ok, just kidding, but if you have been a fan for a while, you will agree that this cd is by far the most singy, with far fewer screams. Good cd, but if you really like screaming, buy A Thought Crushed My Mind (my favorite cd), if you like nu-metal/pop-rock, buy Silence (probably one of the best nu-metal cds on the market - if you like nu-metal you'll love this).
Yup, Blindside's On Fire
I've never been a huge fan of mainstream rock or anything, but with their latest, Blindside gave me a run for my money. And I wouldn't ask for a penny back either. I had been hopin' to buy one of their earlier albums, but I could only find their second album in a real, tangible store (never really bought anything off the net) and it cost a little much.
Didn't have huge expectations for this cd. I thought they might fall off with this one before even reaching their true peak, but of course, they proved me completely wrong.
Their older stuff was a little more creative musically and vocally, but more often than not the experimentation led to a large number of boring, sometimes repetitive tracks. So overall, this was much better.
I would have to say that these are Christian's best vocals on this cd, the best I have heard in a good while. Musically, this cd is also very good. After only a few listens, I was left wanting on the whole, but everything began to pull together in my mind, but soon enough I began to see the music for how good it really was.
Lyrically, this is their best work. At some points it has a very personal feel. And even though the much-hated "Hooray, it's L.A." may seem rightfully so, after reading the lyrics the song became bearable, perhaps even enjoyable. And "All of Us" is truly worthy of being the lead single.
Blindside is back and better than ever. This is coming from a avid underground follower, mostly of rap/hip-hop, and more importantly, of anything truly worth listening to.
