ALBUM REVIEW: Blue Pills produce something of a stunner with their first full-length release

PROCLAIMED as the true inheritors of hard rock heritage - never mind what the media say about Royal Blood - Blue Pills have earned real appreciation from the rock intelligentsia.

And, with the release of their first full length album, Blue Pills don't disappoint.

From the opening track of 'High Class Woman', vocalist Elin Larsson has us right where she wants us....hooked.

With the driving bass lines and a soothing guitar that would make Jimi sit up and take notice himself, she has a voice similar to the soul legend of Ms Aretha Franklin herself.

This is one band that, if there is any justice in the world of rock, are going go far and rightly so.

Not one band out there today can blend these styles together and make it work. Want proof? Listen to 'Ain't No Change' and I dare to try and stop the head from nodding along.

 

Zack Anderson's bass and Corey Berry's drum keep the whole thing moving along as Dorian Sorriaux's guitar soothes and rocks; provides a counterpoint to Larsson's vocals and helps Blue Pills stand above the rest.

With the haunting 'No Hope Left For Me', even Portishead wish they wrote this track years ago.

 

Much of that atmosphere, and the sensitive appreciation of their forebears is down to the production and mix by Don Alsterberg, who achieves a delicate balance between a sound harking back to the late 60s and early 70s while keeping the overall sound contemporary.

 

With a European tour coming up this year, make sure you do not miss these guys live if you can.

 

As for me I'm off to listen to this again for the fifth straight time in a row...

 

Review by Wes Morrisey - Our Man In Dublin

Additional notes/Sub-editing by Jonny

 

Blue Pills - Blue Pills is out now on Nuclear Blast