Blindside

Everyone’s favorite Swedish rockers, Blindside, are back again. They decided to return to their roots for the recording of their fifth full-length, The Great Depression, their first release on DRT. The band holed up in the same Stockholm studio where they crafted their self-titled debut in 1997, while working with the producer of that album, Lasse Martin. The results are both surprising and impressive. The Great Depression is unquestionably Blindside’s most sonically diverse and innovative album yet. It’s evident they’ve reached the point where they can go in just about any musical direction they please. Indeed, the band takes several artistic leaps this time around, but seems to land on their feet every time. Many new avenues are explored, such as the funk/dance riffs during the verses of “Heartattack,” the airy background vocals, what sounds like an upright bass, and atmospheric aesthetics of “This Time,” and the (ready for this?) techno-beat-driven crooning of “My Alibi,” on which Christian Lindskog experiments with some spoken-word delivery during the verses. If this is all beginning to sound a bit scary, don’t fret; this is still the same Blindside we all know and love. “Yemkela” and “Come to Rest” ring with as much hardcore/punk rock intensity as anything off of A Thought Crushed My Mind, and Lindskog’s voice still drips with emotion on every soaring melody and gut-wrenching scream. There may not be a radio-ready single a la “Pitiful” or “All of Us,” although “We Are To Follow” could make a nice candidate. There are parts of songs where it feels like there are subtleties still waiting to be pulled from the mix, and Lasse Martin’s direction lacks a bit of the epic nature present on the last two albums under Howard Benson’s hand. But this new release leaves very little else to complain about and takes hard rock music to a few places it rarely ventures, with considerable success. The Great Depression might very well mark Blindside’s arrival among the legends of Christian hard music. [DRT] Tim Hallila

This album review was originally published in the Sep/Oct Issue
(#115) of HM Magazine. Order the Print Version to read tons more reviews.

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Comments

By Ryan

I agree a lot with what this says, but to an extent I disagree with calling it the MOST innovative album. Very diverse, and innovative, yet maybe it's just that I'm still stuck on this album- Silence- but I'd say that it's probably the most innovative. The Great Depression is definately a great one.

By Dave Esposito

I agree with you completely. Though I've read reviews that think this album is perfect, this i probably the best review of any album I've ever read. Whoever wrote this has an incredible way with words and describes this album perfectly. GOOD JOB

By fernando

Só posso imaginar como será!
se alguém pudér me ajudar a ver os vídeos do blindside eu agradeço!
Paz_____________________________

By mark

I have found myself entranced and pouring with emotion while i repeatedly listen to this album. I would have to agree that this is a landmark in the progression of the members of blindside. If you have seen the DVD that they released this album is the soundtrack of their lives. Its dark, hard, and lonely at times, and it definatly gives a true glimps at what they were trying to convey with this album. A new beggining, and a road that has yet to end on a sad note.

By The Theory

Yeah, I think that About A Burning Fire was probably Blindside's most diverse and innovative album. (not to be confused with best album... which their self titled cd takes the crown for)

This one is better than Silence (which was their worst and least diverse album)... though doesn't quite overtake the rest of Blindside's catalogue.

By Cole Bratcher

My favorite is still "A thought crushed my mind" but this one takes a close second. They definatly have struck gold as far as their new sound goes. It is truly unlike anything else out there, they got to go back to thier roots and explore some new directions. Songs like "City Lights" show where they are trying new stuff, while "Yamelka" reminds me a lot of thier old stuff. The only complaint again lies in the recording. I like the raw sound of it a lot, but it's not hard hitting enough. I was a little disappointed when I heard the first breakdown and wasn't blown away, but listening with a critical ear shows me that this band is amazing. Thumbs up.

By mike

this cd is very slowly growing on me. to be honest , at first or 2nd listen , i was quite dissapointed. vocally i think the album is weak in comparison to the last 2 albums. a couple songs i think are great and i love listening to them , on the other hand i find alot of songs boring and repetative and find myself skipping over them. i love bands that constantly strive for originality , but i think blindside may have tried a lil to hard on this cd

By Chris

At first I got to admit I was a little disspointed in how the album sounded, but after the 2nd listen I remembered why I liked Blindside in the first place when I first heard A thought crushed my mind. I think this album rocks for originality.

By heavensMETALshow

i am dissapointed, not hardcore enough

By Darren Tindell

I haven't heard the album yet, but Tim sure does have a way of persuading his readers!

By duechebaggins

before you new listeners bash bs, you need to realize there is more to them than just aabf. they started as a hardcore band, and they have strayed a slight bit, but they are still a hardcore band. do not judge them by 1 or two cds, when they have 5 out. thanks, god bless

By Dave Esposito

I definetly think this album is one of their best. This, and their last two albums, for me, were so good that It's hard to pick which I like best. Therefore, i don't, and I just say they are all my favorite.
The only thing this album didn't have was, "the wall of sound" that they had in Silence and a little bit in AABF. Thats not always a bad thing, the raw rock sound is equally incredible. Plus, nowadays you could do anything to your music and claim it's just being original, so the sound or production quality shouldn't bother anyone.

Christian's vocals are incredible as usual and his screams rule in "Yamkela". He also has a beautiful singing voice. I think he showed that off in songs like "City Lights", "Ask Me Now", and "When I Remember." The guitaring, especially in "Yamkela" totally left me bare foot (rocked my socks off). the drums were also pretty, out of this world, especially in, "Yamkela"!! Then the bass, that probably ruled my life for a bit... especially in "fel... "Yamkela" and the funny thing is, thats not my favorite song.. haa its my 3rd favorite after pitiful and all of us (all of us being 1st, duh!) yea... i gradually progressed into insanity just now... but ill come back to normal soon.

This is what you need to know if you're thinking about gettin "The Great Depression"...

*Do you have a diverse taste in music??

*Do you like surprises?

If you answered yes, to both of those questions, then you will love this cd. If you answered NO to both of those questions, you might not like it, but get it anyway because Blindside rules. If you said yes to only one, then get it, just know that it might not blow you away.

By Billy

Love the cd, love Blindside, nice review!!

By carley

hey i saw blindside at purple door 2005 and thats the first time i heard them and they totally rock it was so good. They really know how to rock the crowd and the stage!! I lust love them lol
Carley, christopher, ryan, lauren. matthew

By Branstettter

Great.