Free Album Spotlight – Dead Heart Bloom
I have been really enjoying an album called “In Chains”.
This mellow set of songs has been putting me in a the same mood that my initial listens to Eliot Smith’s “Either/Or” did. The recording might be a bit too “clean” for my usual tastes but the sounds and mix are quite masterful. The the lyrics and harmonies complement each other in subtle and interesting ways; “Halfway Gone” has a nice T-Rex vibe going for it (like a little hint of hot sauce in your mac n’ cheese).
I think they are getting a few things right that a ton of bands are getting wrong these days. Numero uno, a good sounding record. Just because you can make a record in your bedroom, doesn’t always mean that you should… Well perhaps you should, but you should be discerning in who you play it for. Don’t get me wrong, I love a record that is a little rough around the edges BUT it has to be rough in an interesting way, not in a cheap “look ma! I made a record!”. The internet, world is full of these crappy sounding records. Thanks DHB for not making another.
The other thing this band has nailed is a strong sense of composition. The arrangements and song structures are rock solid. They use simple elements in innovative ways. This album is not jarring but keeps you guessing.
The band’s site says they have a new record in the works for 2010. Give their EP a whirl.
PS - Their site is full of free music so poke around a bit while you are there.
