LABEL: INO RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: JUNE 7, 2011

lindside has been making music for over fifteen years now. After they released an EP in 2007, the band went on a sort of hiatus; they performed only a few shows and did not debut any new material until 2009. Finally, in 2011, Blindside is back with a brand new album, With Shivering Hearts We Wait. This is their first release with INO Records, and the production is a throwback to Silence and About a Burning Fire, with renowned producer Howard Benson working with them.

The album kicks off to a solid start. The opener, “There Must Be Something in the Water,” gives the listener a pretty good glimpse into the next 38 minutes of music: solid musicianship, thoughtful lyrics, and a mix of clear singing and screaming. Musically, the band clearly knows what they are doing (and they should, with their history). Their sound is tight and focused, and the album never feels thoughtless or directionless (as a lot of albums seem to feel). The epic buildup to the conclusion of the song just shows the sort of devotion this band brings to their craft.

“My Heart Escapes” and “Monster on the Radio” are both catchy tracks. I enjoy both of them quite a bit, though the latter has a bit more of a punk vibe to it that I found a little odd from them. “Bloodstained Hollywood Ending” is crying out for radio play, even though it wasn’t chosen as the single. It is catchy, well written and sung, and would be great to listen to with the windows down, cruising just about anywhere. The single from the album, “Our Love Saves Us,” will do well enough on radio, and has production that sounds and feels more like a radio single, in spite of my preference for the previous track.

“Bring Out Your Dead” hits a bit heavier than the previous tracks, and Blindside is beyond capable of this style. The screams are infectious and the guitars are pounding. “Withering” is full of contrast, with good build-ups and crystal-clear harmonies. The drums and the bass guitar are especially well done on this track. “Cold” has fast paced verses and a slowed down chorus. I like the formula, and they sound comfortable with the transitions. The album closes with “There Must Be Something in the Wind,” harkening back thematically to the first track.

When I was listening to this album the first time, a friend of mine happened to be in the room. He’s followed Blindside’s career more closely than I have, and he commented that this album “sounds more like Blindside than their other recent release.” While I can’t agree or disagree with this particular statement, having not followed them very closely, I can say one thing: Blindside is comfortable with themselves as musicians. This album is tightly wound and it is clear that this band is full of veterans. Their style is consistent, even with the slight variations, and any fan of Blindside or rock music will likely find something to love here.