Blue Far Down - Self Titled EP
Year: July, 2009
Genre: Hard Rock/Grunge
SonicJive:http://www.sonicjive.com/bluefardown
Format: MP3
Total Time: 8:02
Reviewed: 30-August-2009
Track Listing:
01. Tonight 2:38
02. Problem 2:20
03. Wonder Why 3:44
Review:
Hard rock as a genre is difficult to define because of the numerous sub-genres that proliferate the landscape of what is simply straight-ahead, hard-core rock and roll. The basis of every sub-genre is the simple foundation of harsh, amplified sound and thundering, electric guitars (sometimes distorted), a kick-ass back line and pulsating bass. The difference makers are the bands that are lyrically proficient and vocally outstanding. No matter what you define as your sub-genre, without great lyrical and vocal content, you are just making noise (instrumental songs aside). In reverence to hard rock bands and artists that have succeeded in this manner, Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell to name a few, Blue Far Down succeeds using a similar formula. This is smarter-than-average hard rock, but admittedly, it may be easy to miss the more subtle aspects of Blue Far Down against the thrashing din of their sledgehammer instrumental attack.
On their latest release, the self-titled Blue Far Down E.P. - Daryl, Jason, Bob and Clem have taken that step toward becoming the next, great hard rock band. The bass work on this EP is simply outstanding and the remarkable instrumentation and vocals are much more advanced than on their previous release. But where the band really has matured is in the studio production and the arrangements of the three songs that comprise this disc.
Wonder Why is a darkly gorgeous song that evokes pathos as well as anger. This is Blue Far Down at its collective best; they excel at misery and suffering because they exercise superb consistency in evoking that blues/grunge/hard rock despair. The demonstrative opening bass line will stop your heart and the song builds to a crescendo of fire and fury with a vocal texture eerily reminiscent of some of Kurt Cobain's more hard core stuff. This is the best song on the E.P.
When you listen to Tonight you will understand what I mean by smarter-than-average hard rock; a well-placed riff here, intentional distortion there, a muffled scream, and thrashing instrumentation that is specifically arranged to hurtle toward you like a speeding freight train. There is an uncontrolled control to this song and therein the maturity lies. Because each band member plays a significant part in this song, the temptation is there for the song to be pulled in four different directions. Fortunately Blue Far Down resists this temptation and the result is a great rock and roll song that is simply a great lick and a great hook, but with oh so much more behind-the-scenes. With each listen something new yet subtle jumps to the forefront.
The problem with Problem is that the guitar solo and the bass really stand out here. Don't get me wrong, the song is good on its own merit and those two elements make it very good. To me, the song seems to have ended perhaps prematurely and feels like it needs some continuation and culmination. Maybe in live performances the band extends the lead and bass solos. Maybe I am jaded because on a three-song EP I would like the songs to be just a little longer from a listener's perspective. Regardless, I think Problem could stand head and shoulders with the other two songs had it just been a little longer.
Back in the day, bands used the E.P. as a promotional device to get heard and it makes sense. One, as a band you get to provide the listener with your best stuff without any filler. Also, it's easier to catch the ear of a station manager or AOR rep with a smaller listening sample. Blue Far Down takes full advantage of this format to launch an all-out assault that is their best work to date. I imagine they walked into the recording studio saying "We're gonna kill it". Mission accomplished.
(MP3's available at Amazon.com by clicking the cover art)
-- Michael Canter (www.sonicjive.com)
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