CD REVIEW: BLAMESHIFT – Secrets

Label: Executive Music Group

Release Date: November 5, 2013

Rating: 8.5/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

I stumbled (via an email from a publicist) upon this up-n-coming band and was impressed enough to take the disc for multiple spins.  After a short musical interlude in “Set It All Free,” we are exposed to the band as a whole, including the vocals of Jenny Mann.  “The Enemy You Need,” title track “Secrets,” and “No Apologies” are great tracks full of energy and fun that capture the vocals in a cool playoff with the guitars of Tim Barbour.  The sound is very modern and should sit well with the Warped crowd.  Guest vocalist Paul McCoy of 12 Stones adds to the sound of the band when he duets on “Destroy Your Masquerade.”   This is another really good song that keeps the energy high while keeping the mix of the band even, while adding a male vocal to the mix.  The drums on most of these tracks are perfect, in that they keep the song clicking without a ton of unneeded fills and tempo changes.  “C’est La Vie” is another high energy track full of piss and vinegar.  The vocals are great and play well against the guitars and drums.

“Not Enough” is a mellower track that adds depth to the collection.  Often when groups of this genre try to mix a track up and add a different component to their sound they miss the mark, but these guys nailed it.  The same can be said of  “Revolution” or “operating Table.”  The choruses are typical fare for this disc, but the verses and musical bridges are different from other tracks and keep the disc flowing without sounding repetitive.  In the spirit of changing things up, “Let Go” continues this pattern.  This song features a heavier guitar groove that gives this song more of a typical rock feel, regardless of the sound of the vocals or the tempo of the verse.  Disc closer “Wherever It Goes” is the most diverse track on the disc, yet is one of my favorites, hands down.  The band really stretches and steps away from the path it cut over the previous nine tracks and allows the vocals to shine against an ethereal track that added another dimension to the bands sound.  Do yourself a favor and pick up a disc on their site – autographed at that – you won’t be sorry.

http://www.blameshiftmusic.net

https://www.facebook.com/blameshift

Category: CD Reviews