EP review: BLUEMINDED – Blueminded
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 28 October 2024
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)
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09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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