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Listening to Blueprint Car Crash for the first time gave me the same rush that I get after purchasing an album on a whim and being immediately impressed with the output. As I recall, I was going to sleep about a week ago and threw my headphones on for some end-of-the-day listening pleasure. Having not yet listened to Blueprint Car Crash, I gave them a shot, and was captivated by the band's musical talent and songwriting.
I think Blueprint Car Crash can partially be described as walking a fine line between the intricate, melodic complexity of Thursday and the explosive nature of Saosin. If this summed up Blueprint Car Crash, the chances of me really getting into it would be pretty slim. The band attempts to transcend the ubiquitous "screamo" label, though, with a progressive side, as well as some straightforward rock n' roll tendencies that form the foundation of songs like "12.8.80."
The contrast between complex rhythms and high-pitched picking sequences, and explosive outbursts of thick chords and screaming on "Kiss Me One Last Time" is the basis for the Thursday and Saosin comparison. The song, without ever resorting to any blazing speeds, is really energetic and infectious. Blueprint Car Crash gets a bit more atmospheric in "Grave Of Fireflies," which employs massive, soaring vocals and some spacey guitar parts. This song, as well as "Gun Moll," provides a pronounced example of the band's more experimental side. It's a good thing, but it also reveals that Blueprint Car Crash hasn't fully decided on a specific direction for their music.
Throughout the entire 27-minute release, one thing that remains in place is the band's musical proficiency. The guitarists are constantly noodling and surprisingly cohesive, while drummer Chris Morin keeps things precisely glued together even though there are plenty of daunting shifts in tempo.
With expansive, often linear songs capturing some aspects of bands like Thursday, Saosin and At The Drive-In, Blueprint Car Crash's music is a lot to take in. Add to that some experimentation with tribal rhythms and electronics, and the music becomes even busier. This band is musically sound, however, and I'd say their ambition works out pretty well. The problems I'm seeing are that the band, in just six songs, treads a lot of ground, making for a listen that could be two or three different bands, the lyrics are generic and cheesy, and many songs could ditch the screaming. Still, fans of bands mentioned in this review should enjoy Blueprint Car Crash. They're a young band and there's plenty of room for growth, but I'm interested in hearing where they take their music in the future.
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