Self-released [Release date: April 2014]
Blueminded describe themselves as a ‘poprockband’ but really they are doing themselves a disservice as this debut EP definitely has a vein of progressive rock weaving its way through the four tracks on offer here.
Hailing from the Netherlands and with the guitars of Jorgen Koenen and keyboard wizardry of Loek Aalders very much to the fore, the first thing to do is clear out any notion you may have that this is another Focus.
In fact the band’s sound is very much an amalgam of their many influences – there’s the anthemic choruses of Simple Minds and U2, the melodic progressive song structures of Marillion and, dare I say it on GRTR! (?), the ear for a good tune of Coldplay.
Things kick off with the angular, staccato guitar riff and pulsating keyboards of ‘All In One’ followed by the mellower chorus-pedal-laced ‘Have It All’ – both having memorable choruses, as does the third track ‘Call On Me’ - in fact, any of the tracks would be certain to pass The Old Grey Whistle Test of ‘catchiness’.
For me the standout is the closing ‘Move On’ with its Mike And The Mechanics riff – though, to be honest, it was a difficult choice – such is the quality.
If the band can maintain this quality and perhaps just add a little bit of a harder edge to proceedings their debut LP will be well worth a listen.
An excellent start.
***1/2
Review by Alan Jones
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Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
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09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
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