ALBUM REVIEW: Blues Pills - "Blues Pills"

By: Marc Gaffney

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 25/7/2014

Label: Nuclear Blast

Do yourself a favor and get this album and put on your headphones and let it take you musically on a safari of heartache, essence, guitar solos and a rhythm section that can swing and sway with the best of them.

‘Blues Pills’ CD/LP/DD track listing:

1. High Class Woman 4:28

2. Ain't No Change 4:58

3. Jupiter 4:06

4. Black Smoke 5:09

5. River 4:23

6. No Hope Left For Me 3:53

7. Devil Man 3:06

8. Astralplane 4:39

9. Gypsy 3:09

10. Little Sun 4:50

The Review:

Wow, it is not every day that you get amazing vocals, great ambient guitar work,  and at times a bass line that is so fundamentally strong it could hold up a building.  Not to forget, drums that are chugging and behind the beat at the same time.

There is a name for this wonderful mixture, Blues Pills, and it is encapsulated in their self titled album. If you are a fan of Graveyard, The Doors, early Aretha Franklin, think, “It Ain’t Fare”, with Duanne Allman.  Also, Pink Floyd and Janis, just to name a few, then you will surely dig this album.  Right off the bat with ‘High Class Woman’, you are immediately consumed by the vocals. If in fact it is true that first impressions are everything, then Elin Larrson knocks it out of the park. The vocals, not just on this song, but the whole album is in touch with the soul of the writer. They grab you and take you on an emotional journey that is hitting on such mature levels, that everyone can relate too.

Some of the standouts for me; basically all of them but a few that really had me musically and lyrically, were ‘Jupiter’. Musically it has a psychedelic feel, dual vocals, into a single vocal, back into dual vocals. Everything gels, a great guitar solo and a wonderful boogie that makes you bop without even knowing you are into it. The guitars have such an immaculate fuzz tone, that other bands will search their whole life for, and a breakdown that makes you realize just how all of the moments really jive together as one.

‘Blacksnake’ is another, in which I truly gravitated towards. Really powerful intro, again, the tune makes you want to shake your ass when it gets going.  The effects used so nicely, slide guitar slashing its way through a maze of thick and thin tonality. Also, it slows down in just the right spot. It is my favorite track on the album.

‘No Hope Left for Me’, is song with a really nice pocket along with a really tight bass line. Vocally this song consumed me for some reason. I think it’s because instrumentally, there is a nice bit of room for the voice to float over and when the background vocals come in, it really gives it that cosmic feel, that you are part of the song. It has such a simplistic yet intricate affair with the audience’s auditory system.

Last one I will hit upon is, ‘Little Sun’, a truly beautiful way to end the album; like I said all of the lyrics on the album are so relatable and breathe with such maturity that lyrically it floats above a wall of great instrumentation. This album has everything from straight ahead rock, to boogie, to slow, emotional grabbers, to great songs to go on a road trip with.

What is really impressive is how every little piece fits so well. The vocals are so strong because they are guided instrumentally, that they are truly flowing musically and not afraid to switch genres in the middle of a song. Hence; this is the reason why so many people will truly dig this piece of work. Also, the album breathes, in what I mean by that, is that it never sounds crowded. There is nothing fighting or trying to out duel each other. The mix is liberating to the ear.

Being a huge fan of Joni Mitchell, Nancy Wilson, Aretha Franklin, I am now a fan of Elin Larrson. She is one of the best I have heard in a while and it is so refreshing.  Do yourself a favor and get this album and put on your headphones and let it take you musically on a safari of heartache, essence, guitar solos and a rhythm section that can swing and sway with the best of them.

This album was a pleasure to review.

“Blues Pills” is available here

Band info: official || facebook

Blue Pills - Live At Rockpalast - EP Review

Album Type:EP

Date Released: Feb 14^th 2014

Label: Nuclear Blast Records

Live At Rockpalast - Tracklisting:

01. In The Beginning

02. Black Smoke

03. Little Sun

04. Mind Exit

Bio:

It´s been a long, hard and winding road for mankind, but in December 2011 the moment we´ve all – yet unknowingly and yet unaware of our coming salvation – been waiting for finally saw the light of day. Elin Larsson, Cory Berry and Zack Anderson, all just in their early Twenties, formed a group which should quickly become one of the most acclaimed and interesting bands in music. Behold the birth of a new musical experience, an experience we thought was long gone, lost in time and space. Behold the birth of BLUES PILLS.

THE GROUND IS SHAKING UNDERNEATH ME | A SPINNING WORLD WITHOUT CONTROL

The young American-Swedish-French quartet create a very unique, intense and extraordinary rock atmosphere while at the same time having a major mainstream appeal that takes you right back to the time of BLUES PILLS’ ancestors Aretha Franklin, The Original Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Cream. Driving bass lines, grooving drums and guitar solos from another planet by the only 17 year old Dorian Sorriaux, harmonized and tied together with such easiness, such delight, by Elin’s incredible voice, sometimes singing in her mother tongue Swedish.

O´ DEVIL MAN, O´ DEVIL MAN | YOU’VE GOT BLACKNESS IN YOUR SOUL

With the idea to take soul music, combined with blues and rock’n’roll and turn it into a new force of unimaginable energy, intensity and freshness, their blonde archangel & soul-saviour Elin Larsson will guide you gently into a new world, the band´s empire of soulful rock; her beautiful voice seems to be taking you beyond the stars to an infinite universe on a journey that appears endless in time, yet profound and revealing. Elin´s powerful lyrics are full of emotions, her jazzy-soulful voice never falls into the trap of an aestheticization of kitsch, but unfolds an outstanding beauty itself with a refreshing new take on the timeless and unquestionably noble art of rock`n`roll, touching your soul.

GOD IS LIGHT TO THE POOR SOULS WHO DWELL IN NIGHT | TIME IS NOW, LIVE TODAY

Sit back and relax, take some BLUES PILLS and dive into their world of musical visionariness.

The highly-acclaimed EP „Devil Man“ was released on October 18 via Nuclear Blast and a Live EP including four tracks of the WDR Rockpalast concert is out now on 14th of February. Their eagerly awaited debut album is due in Summer 2014.

The Band Members

Elin Larsson - Vocals

Cory Berry - Drums

Dorian Sorriaux - Guitar

Zack Anderson - Bass

Review:

Last year, Blues Pills blew me away with their EP release; Devil Man. To hear that the band had a live EP in the offing was something that excited me.

There's a whole manner of studio wizardry available in the modern age to get the sound you want. If your any good, you'll be able to show your chops off in the live arena. Blues Pills excel on their live release.

The potent mix of fiery blues, soaring vocals and array of tempos is another bout of aural pleasure. Elin Larsson's voices oozes all kind of swagger and sass. This could quite well be a voice for the ages. Her tone is gorgeous throughout; whether it be tender or howling. Little Sun shows the tender side over a rolling drum and slow blues workout before the closing minute explodes into all out fury.

A special note has to be made of the guitar work on this album. In his late teens, Dorian Sorriaux is staking a claim to be one of the most exciting young guitarists on the planet. There is a moment on Mind Exit where he literally takes off in a blaze. From the little bit of crowd noise in the mix, it is clear that the crowd approve.

Whilst Sorriaux and Larsson take centre stage, the glue of the band; Cory Berry and Zack Anderson are equally adept on bass and drum duties. The drums are blunt and to the point which make for an edgy unpolished sound that has a looseness which allows the band to break out whenever appropriate. The bass is tight and drives each track along with the chosen tempo.

Blues Pills are a superb band. This live EP is a great statement of intent for a band on the up. Many of the tracks the band have put out would be worthy additions to many 60/70's blues or classic rock compilations. Blues Pills tour the UK in late April. Get your diaries out and check them out.

Dominic Walsh

Check The Band From Links Below

Official
Facebook

You can buy Live At Rockpalast EP from Nuclear Blast Records now.