Butchers Blind is a 4 piece band from New York. New York can at times be a very beautiful place and it has its fair share of unpredictable cold and snowy days and at times can be a rough and tumble place as well. This might just be the perfect locale to explore the unpredictable realm of musical expression. This latest CD from Butcher Blind “Destination Blues” delivers all of the above and will reveal all the a-typical conventions of today’s modern alt-rock-music that so many enjoy here in the US. The band which features Pete Mancini – Guitar, Vocals Paul Cianciaruso – Drums, Vocals Brian Reilly – Bass Christopher Smith — Keyboards does a good job at creating a solid sonic space for the listener to bask in. The first track “Nobody Hears What I Say Anymore” lifts off the ground nicely and is in itself an impressive kickoff statement to say the least. It’s remarkably easy to listen, and the lyrics and music gravitated me right away like a magnet. All songs present a stunning collection of music that effectively runs the gamut and has much to offer insofar as impressive music and captivating vocals from Mancini. Musical comparables for me include The Fray, Bright Eyes, Thriving Ivory, and Broken Social Scene. One cannot help but admire artists with strong songwriting skills and truthful conviction all the while demonstrating a strong a level of creativity and emotional expression. One senses a growing ambition as this CD advances. Butchers Blind demonstrate appealing guitar and vocals that really hit the mark and with intellectually stimulating lyrics. The musicianship is rock steady and the overall production value tows the line. All in all a great set of songs. Speaking of which notable standouts for me include: Enough Already Anyway, OPP and Honestly. If you want a melodic rocking staple there’s something on this record for you. Obviously many will fall head over heals with Butchers Blind. This is one band that’s set up rather well for mainstream success in New York and beyond this year. Some of this plays into strong marketability potential world wide. Some pieces present more modern sounding overtones but despite all this the flavor possess traditional Rock n’ Roll textures with some Americana thrown in. This is really what makes Butchers Blind so enticing to me personally. They also posses an impressive and youthful look and sound. “Destination Blues” grants one rare access to peer into the soul of a quintessential artist not so tormented but rather easy going and positive yet powerfully direct and honest — from a New York perspective shall we say.
URL: http://www.butchersblind.com/home.cfm
Label: Paradiddle Records
Final Rating: 9/10
Review by Blaine Calhoun edited by J.J. McCall
Review comments: johnmccall964@gmail.com
