This year is rife with under the radar albums for us that are most likely going to end up in a very weird end of the year best of list. And that’s just fine! It seems like every time we open the laptop lately we’re confronted by some forgotten favorite announcing a new record… like Abrams! Although you can’t really be considered “forgotten” when the contents of your last record are still in regular rotation, right?
Just like predecessor In The Dark did, Blue City starts off with a bang but one that’s an even more immediate one than “Like Hell” was with “Tomorrow” just firing on all cylinders and delivering a sonic clobbering that sets the tone for the rest of what’s to come. But that’s nothing compared with what first single “Fire Waltz” brings amidst a flurry of swirling guitar licks and a start/stop rhythmic foundation from bassist Taylor Iversen and drummer Ryan DeWitt that’s akin to being held at the edge of a cliff and repeatedly being pulled back from the brink just as you’re about to slip. In a good way.
“Etherol” is just as formidable, trudging along with vibrant vocal harmonies and a sprawling soundscape thanks in part to Kurt Ballou (Converge) whose recording and production work at the legendary God City in Salem helped take the Abrams sound to the next level. “Lungfish” is an interesting beast that’s subtle but not subdued by any means as it ominously rumbles along and nicely segues into the crushing “Wasting Time” which boasts long, broad epic strokes of sonic mastery with guitarists Graham Zander and Zachary Amster piling on the riffage.
“Death Om” buzzes the second it begins with more memorable harmonies from Amster and Iverson coming to light, “Turn It Off” spectacularly showcases Dewitt’s percussive range and style, and “Narc” adds a potent punch during this exceptional excursion through different layers of heavy. “Crack Aunt” comes correct with a sultry swagger before Amster and Zander tack on some sweet crunchy riffs to the mix followed by “Blue City” which is a vibrant closer collecting all of what came before into a fitting aural odyssey contained in barely four and a half minutes of music.
Blue City descends on May 24th through Blues Funeral Recordings. Pre-orders are up and ready for perusin, purchasin’ and pre-savin’ if that’s your thing, all of which can be found by heading here and here. For more from Abrams, including up-to-the-date info on upcoming tours, follow them across the information superhighway by clicking here or here.