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Album Details

• Artist: Blue States
• Album: The Soundings
• Label: Memphis Industries
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-09-01

Blue States have changed a bit since I last checked in with them. Like a really big change. You might mistake Blue States now for a pop band with a touch of the atmospheric electronic elements you may have heard on Nothing Changes Under The Sun. I do admit that I skipped Andy's 2002 release Man Mountain but still, this change really is quite dramatic. Strangely enough, it is still very listenable and enjoyable. Listen to "Final Flight" and you might be mistaken for a band like the High Llamas or maybe even The Flaming Lips at times ("Sad Song"). You might also hear a bit of Joy Division in some of the songs. The music is quite as immediate as JD but Chris Carr's vocals are strangely alike. There are still a couple instances where Andy et al decide to keep things instrumental, like on "Leaning In" but you would hardly classify Blue States as electronica any more. No, they have made the move into pop and even though I liked their other output, I do think this new sound really suits Blue States. The Soundings is an album that may take a couple listens to really get into but it's worth the effort.

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