If, as someone once claimed, that the key to success is "not what you know, it's who you know," then Sweden's Blindside ought to be okay. For them, the "who" is flavour-of-the-year, metal heroes, P.O.D., who have "big-upped" Blindside in the press at every available opportunity, had singer Christian guest on "Anything Right" from the mega-selling Satellite album, and recently made Blindside the first signing to their new record label. In a perfect world, however, it is not just the "who" but "what" Blindside know that would guarantee them prosperity, because Silence is one of those endangered species - an album that satisfies on every level, musically, vocally and lyrically.
Musically, Blindside have moved on leaps and bounds since the bruising, metallic hardcore of 2000's A Thought Crushed My Mind. While long-time fans may get riled at the prospect of Blindside "going commercial", the fact is that they have merely smoothed out the often inaccessible spikiness of their past output, while not betraying their roots. Silence surfs several sonic waves, taking in punk-inspired anthems (current single "Pitiful"), emotionally-wrought bites of post nu-metal ("Caught a Glimpse"), the aggressive hardcore of old ("Time Will Change Your Heart"), and even semi-acoustica ("Midnight" and the title track). The place where these elements synergize to best effect is on "Painting" which features a sublime, doom-laden, low-slung guitar riff counterpointing otherwise gentle verses and a wonderfully melodic chorus.
Vocally, Christian proves himself to be of hitherto, only hinted-at prowess. Yes, he can still scream with the best of them but his singing voice is immaculate and the combination of the two, usually within the same song, perfectly captures the mood swings of the lyrics. Ah, those lyrics. It is not often that one can be so engrossed by the lyric sheet of an album that a good half an hour goes by before you feel the need to actually listen to it. Blindside's lyrics poetically document the gamut of spiritual emotions with an honesty that is sadly lacking from most secular and non-secular albums alike. Thus, we can cry along with the contrition displayed in "Pitiful":
I know, as I hammered those nails into Your beautiful hands
Your eyes still try to search for mine, but I look away
Now Your eyes are the only thing that can save me
I'm still so afraid of them piercing
You're breaking into my prison.
We can nod in empathy at the frankness and self-shame of "Cute Boring Love":
The one thing I hate most about me
Is the one thing you want to make your trademark
To feel lust without cute boring love.
We can echo the pleas of "Midnight":
And I know You're alive
And I'll give my heart to survive
This world has nothing to offer a human soul
Reaching for the sky
So Father of Light
Keep my human spirit alive.
And finally, we can revel in the hope and moral regeneration of "Coming Back To Life":
Feel like I'm coming back to love
This black crow becoming white dove
Feel like I'm coming back to life
I'm falling again
I'm falling in love.
The album ends with the haunting yet beautiful title track where Christian declares to his God:
I can't explain or understand
I just love You...
... So I think I'll stay
Caught up in a silent prayer.
After listening to this album that may well be the place that you feel like being in, at the very least to contemplate the fact that this is easily the best album to come out of Europe this year. As Depeche Mode once said, "Enjoy the Silence"...
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by Andree FariasSofties, be warned: This is a hard record. In a market where Creed hopefuls and nu-metal outfits have reached mind-numbing proportions, it's refreshing to find a group that can hold its own without falling prey to the predictable conventions of made-for-radio rock. Sweden's blindside is one of those groups. After two mildly successful indie efforts, blindside have finally hit it big with their…Art for the Ears 2002Reviewed by Marco PovervestThe history of Blindside is a success story. Started in the mid nineties this band got their first record deal with the new Swedish company Day Glo Records. The self titled album attracted attention overseas which led to a tour with another upcoming act: POD. A license deal with Solid State Records came forth plus more tours. And then, in the slipstream of POD's worldwide success, Blindside…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Chris SardaBlindside's third full length release and first major label release Silence is a departure from their last album A Thought Crushed My Mind. Silence seems to showcase lead singer Christian's singing abilities this time around rather than his screaming abilities. Some will throw this new album in the 'radio friendly' corner and just pass on it, which is unfortunate since it's a very strong release.…Similar sounding releases
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