The Omnibus

Issue date: 5/13/04 Section: The Review

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Blindside scared me for a while. Their sophomore album ("A Thought Crushed my Mind") was incredible and is still a favorite. However, for their next album they signed with corporate giants Elektra. I hoped they would not lose their raw, innovative sound, but even more I hoped they would not become the next Nickelback.

Blindside´s album "About a Burning Fire" receives a rave review from the Omnibus.

Thankfully Blindside's record deal seemed to have no negative influence on their natural maturation as a band. They blew me away with their release "Silence," and blew me away again on their latest release "About a Burning Fire."

Diversity is something that has been lacking in many recent rock albums, and Blindside remedies this epidemic of mind-numbing, generic rock. Musically, Blindside comes across as an amazingly tight piece. Their earlier albums tended to be driven heavily by the bass, but this one is full of soaring guitar riffs. It continues the trend of "Silence" in this way, yet they explore many other paths as well.

Christian Lindskog's voice has matured immensely over the years, as has his songwriting skills. It is such a pleasure to hear Lindskog's piercingly beautiful singing and screaming contrasted with chunky, melodic guitars.

In the title track "About a Burning Fire," Blindside returns to the style loved by so many before they met up with producer Howard Benson (POD, Hoobastank, Pax217). The song is full of dramatic pauses and stops in the rhythm. There is a stark contrast here between Lindskog's soul-wrenching screams and his flowing, melodic singing. This dichotomy builds throughout the song and exemplifies the messages contained of God's power. This message is evident in the midst of Lindskog's screaming, "Your voice whispers with a roar; place the right king on the throne."

"Shekina" is another standout track. This track explodes in traditional female Swedish singing, which is beautiful. Lindskog also sings half this song in streamlined Swedish melody; it is pure ear candy. This song is poetic, and it provides excellent balance for more straightforward songs such as "Die Buying." There are even sitar-esque strings to compound the experience. Lindskog vocalizes beautiful poetry in a perfect blend between words and music as he sings, "Like joy was something you could touch, I wrap it around me, like a blanket."

"All of Us" is the song many may hear on the radio. This song explores varying dynamics between melodic, clean guitars, whispering vocals and smooth distortion, and raw, emotive singing. The drum fills seem unconventional to me (but I'm no drummer), and this adds to the song's appeal. The lyrics are too good here not to provide a sample.

"I washed my wounds with tears of hope, I just. All of us are searching for an open arm. Well, it's a shame how I pull myself apart. When it's the same words making me run for cover to your heart." Wow. It is so refreshing to hear honest expressions of hope that are not trite or contrived. The honesty of the lyrics is so appealing.

Other standout tracks include: "Roads," an acoustic folk-like song with a jazz trumpet solo; "Die Buying," a reaction in disgust to the evils of consumerism; "Hooray, It's L.A.," an expression of disgust with the atmosphere in Los Angeles, which features Billy Corgan on guitar; and "Eye of the Storm" which discusses faith in the face of impending pain.

If readers have not already stopped reading this article to go buy Blindside's album, they should go now. If they have ears to hear, they will not be disappointed.

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