Blind Waltz - Blind Waltz
by
Paul Barile
June 2005
Simple and straightforward, Blind Waltz is a Midwestern quintet that
serves up music that fuses a variety of influences like a multi-layered
tapestry. While not earth-shattering or genre-bending, the music tends
toward the jam band sound. You know the one: kind of mellow but really
top-shelf musicianship.
The second song, "Singing Out My Name", is actually a better song than the
opener. This is not to say "Cajun Lady" (the actual opener) is bad.
"Singing Out My Name" is just a powerful song featuring deeply
passionate vocals. (The liner notes list four lead vocalists. There is
one vocalist who brings the raw power to the music.)
The lead guitar work on this number also stands out among the 12 cuts.
"Burn" sounds very much like the band is channeling the Grateful Dead
only Blind Waltz is a more cohesive and listenable band.
"Only Human By Design" is another piece that stands out. Mike Thomas'
vocals are plaintive, but not defeated. The melody line on the chorus is
optimistic, as are the lyrics. "Stay with me and we can live a life
undamaged by design."
Then – on a dime – they slide into the jazzy "Revealed in Time", and just
that quickly they seem to reinvent themselves. This band eschews
formulaic music in favor of individual musical expression. That's a
writer's way of saying there is never a dull moment on this disc. It is
all good – all the time.
Throughout the disc, Blind Waltz displays profound knowledge of their
instruments as well as showing they know their way around a recording
studio. They try a lot of different musical ideas and everything seems
to work.
The talented quintet of musicians has released a debut disc that informs
the music community at large, they are here and they deserve to be
listened to.
www.blindwaltz.com
Search Site
Return to Score! Music Magazine
