Alternative rock | Grunge | Post-grunge | Rock
85%
Dead Blonde Stars—Resolution EP (2017)
Details
Released on Friday 16 June 2017
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Band
- Gary Walker—Vocals
- Tom Gratton—Lead guitar
- Oliver Thompson—Rhythm guitar and vocals
- Matt Simons—Bass
- Chris Williams—Drums and percussion
Tracks
- Misery tree
- Another black limo
- Coffer
- Darkest river
- One red cent
Review
Resolution (2017) is the debut album from Sheffield-based alternative rock band Dead Blonde Stars.
This is another album that has sat in my To Review pile for … well, for six years! Nobody sent it to me, I picked it up because they are on Sel Balamir from Amplifier’s label Rockosmos and I love Amplifier.
Dead Blonde Stars’ website states, “If your favourite bands were Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots and Pearl Jam, then you are about to require a sedative.”
That’s a very fair comparison. I was lying in bed last week, listening to this album and I suddenly sat up and said out loud, “Chris Cornell! That’s who this sounds like: Chris Cornell!”
So, with the (especially) Soundgarden and Stone Temple Pilots similarities ringing in my ears, let’s dig in and try to not make continuous comparisons to any of these US west coast powerhouses of hard rock.
“Misery tree” (track 1) opens with an energetic, bouncy riff before settling into a stomping, whining and repetitive track. The chorus gets under your fingernails, burrows into your unconscious. It’s a strong start.
“Another black limo” (track 2) brings the vibe right down with a delicately picked guitar intro. But that’s soon shelved in favour of a driving, guitar-led passage which what sounds like an emergency vehicle siren woven into it. Walker’s vocals are the real (dead blonde) stars of this track as he drawls and croons over arpeggios and between the bass and drums carving out the rhythm. This is probably my favourite track on the EP, not least the heavy middle eight that precedes a passionate guitar solo.
Like a valve amp warming up, “Coffer” (track 3) gradually glows into existence. Another more laid back track. Walker’s vocals soar over a shuffling melody. This reminds me so much of … oh, I said I wasn’t going to go there. Let’s just say, it’s good!
“Darkest river” (track 4) features the heaviest riff on this EP. A slow tempo rocker, again Walker’s vocals take the song to places that other vocals would struggle to do… climbing, climbing, swooping. It’s an emotional performance down to the minimalist swirling, siren-like guitar solo.
The opening riff to “One red cent” (track 5) strikes out before holding back for a second to contemplate its next move. Another bouncing SG/STP-like riff (sorry, I couldn’t help it!). It’s a steady, lumbering vibe that showcases the whole band. The middle eight and guitar solo are among the best on this release—creative, interesting, passionate, melodic. More, I say! More!
Conclusion
Which is what I’ve thought each time this EP has ended, “Oh! But… I want more!” If this is anything to go on, then their subsequent releases are to be highly anticipated. I’ve always been a fan of that distinctive Seattle sound and this offers it up in gallons. I’m truly sorry it has taken me this long to review. I need to check out Dead Blonde Stars’ back-catalogue in more detail. That will be my resolution.
Review score: 85%