Artist: The Blue Van
Title: Love Shot
Genre: Blues Rock / Alternative Rock / Rock
Release Date: 18th February 2011
Label: Iceberg Records
Album Review
The decline of the death metal scene especially in the north European countries must be considered as a fact. This phenomenon occurred for many reasons; the strict musical patterns of the genre, the obsession with specific themes, the fact that it was no longer provocative as a genre, and that above all, it became stale and a caricature of its old self. Of course no one should forget that in the new millennium the audiences were moving to less challenging areas and aspects of music.
In Denmark this major swift occurred when Michael Poulsen threw the death metal towel in and took a new route with the VOLBEAT, whose first album became a major success. In their shadow, THE BLUE VAN was created, taking their name from a blue van that collected mentally ill people in Denmark. So, you can imagine what it is all about; garage, psychedelic and retro-rock in abundance. And the paradox of the case is that bands like the aforementioned are approaching the roots of heavy rock with much respect and way better than their American colleagues. I suspect that in music terms, the borderlines of Denmark are in Kentucky! And this is the case here.
I have to admit that I’ve had a good time listening to the album, there are some great songs in it like ‘Mama’s Boy’, the JOHN BARRY influenced ‘Woman of the Wrong Kind’, ‘Hole in the Ground’ and the ‘You Live You Learn You Die’. They infuse wonderfully the genres and they surely add a modern rock aspect to them and certain cheek in tongue attitude. Yet the let down is that at the same time the album offers the same feeling as the retro revivals in the fashion industry. It’s condemned to change the next season. There is something unbalanced in the album as if the band members cannot, at least at this point, to unleash their full music potential, or as if they are forced to obey commands of the market.
Tracklist
01. Mama’s Boy – 2.40
02. Run to The Sun – 3.05
03. Love Shot – 3.35
04. Beg Like A Dog – 3.12
05. Woman Of The Wrong Kind – 3.36
06. Loser Takes It All – 3.20
07. Teenage Runaway – 3.17
08. Fame And Glory – 3.40
09. Draw The Line – 3.36
10. Hole In The Ground – 5.02
11. Wait And See – 2.55
12. Evil – 3.23
13. You Live You Learn You Die – 4.27
Line-up
Steffen Westmark - vocals and guitar
Søren Christensen - keyboard, vocals and guitar
Allan Villadsen – bass
Per Jørgenson - drums and vocals
Websites
http://www.thebluevan.com/ / http://www.thebluevan.com/
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Total: 7 / 10
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