BALUE. 2012

Balue és un grup de Denver que practica un gènere que en aquest bloc ens interessa molt. Es tracta del surf-pop. Sembla paradoxal venint com ve d'un grup d'Arizona però les influències no entenen de fronteres. Vos deix aquí amb la seva producció al llarg del passat 2012. Es tracta d'un Ep, un llarga durada i una darrera peça que acaben d'editar el passat desembre. Preparau-vos per passejar per platges californianes i lliscar sobre les ones. Let's go surfing!

When I went over to Balue’s BandCamp page, I noticed that they had a song titled ‘The Pool Honeys’. Being a major movie freak, I immediately thought of The Sandlot but thought “No, no way is this a song about that”. Oh, I was wrong. It’s a song dedicated to THE Wendy Peffercorn and the rest of the Pool Honeys. I couldn’t believe my ears, I immediately smiled from ear to ear. Not only was there this reference but Paradoxical Intention is a hell of an album. It’s something you listen to when you just need to relax, an album to chill out to. It’s beautiful bedroom pop for sunny, rainy, lazy afternoons. Blast this through your apartment, your roommates will thank you. @LeahLovecat

Balue came to us as a suggestion from a friend who has great taste. Eli Thomas is a bedroom artist whose music is a lo-fi amalgam surf rock, psych pop, and electronica that vaguely recalls Bear Hands or the more obscure, Bronze, but as bedroom pop. Thomas calls it a headphone album, but it’s been on constant play in my car. So if you have decent set of speakers, turn up the volume. It’s not going to rock out, it’s more subtle than that, but it’s dynamic. The only flaw in the album is a cover of Baltimora’s “Tarzan Boy.” It does not fit the dynamic of the album (which would end nicely on the track, “STDT”), and it’s a stark contrast compared to the original–just a bit too abrasive and out of place. The rest of the album is enjoyable, and at times, flippin’ great. Smart, funny, and a pleasure to discover. (thedadada.com)