Blindside "About a Burning Fire"

by Renee Clark

The music scene for rock music seems to be looking up for 2004.  With many anticipated releases due out later this year it is giving fans that are hungry for real music something to fill their eager ears.  Blindside’s latest release About a Burning Fire is one such album for me.  This is the album that has made 2004 a year for me too look forward to since I had been awaiting to hear since the band stopped touring to record it.  

Blindside is just one of those bands that I will never get sick of hearing or seeing live. I have been in love with their music since the day I saw them when Greenwheel opened for them in 2002. They are truly an example of pure talent.  Not only do their songs have the rawness and heaviness of rock music they also have positive messages embedded in the lyrics.

About a Burning Fire opens with the powerful “Eye of the Storm”  This song is bursting with energy and the distinctive Blindside sound that sets the theme of the album.

“Hooray, It’s L.A.” features Billy Corgan on guitar.  This is a striking song and has a chorus that dwells in your head long after you listened to it.

Toned down songs like their debut single, “All of Us” and “Shekina” were also a refreshing surprise on the disc.  These songs may stand out to fans and reflect the “softer” side of Blindside. But they no way stray or take away the spirit and energy this album creates.  Both songs are chillingly alluring.  “Shekina” stood out to me because of the slow melody and the fact that a female vocalist (Emma Härdelin) started the song.  Not only was it

“Where the Sun Never Dies” has to be one of my favorites on About a Burning Fire.  It is just a classic example of the great combination of rock music with a great story and message lying within the lyrics.  It just has a great mood and feel that stands out and was the most memorable song the first time I heard the album.

Blindside also brought out their creativeness and experimented with different instruments.  For example on “Roads” towards the end you hear a trumpet mixing with the mood giving the song a bluesy feel.

This album could not end with a better song. The title track “About a Burning Fire” has to be one of the best songs.  It not only represents their skills as musicians but it also represents their ability to try new things and succeed at creating incredible music.

~Renee
 

January 15, 2004