Review: The Bled - Pass the Flask

Released in 2003, Pass the Flask turned this little quintet from Tucson, into a mainstream success overnight. Classifying this band as 'metalcore' or 'indie' or 'hardcore' is quite futile, because for every genre you pick, someone is going to disagree, and have a solid backing for their view. Everyone however can agree that whatever The Bled are doing, they are doing it well.

This album bursts into action from the first song, and doesn't let you down for 38 minutes. Personally I would like to see a longer album, but releasing a short disc like this sure does make you long for more. The album is very tight throughout, featuring a 'machine gun' riffing section in nearly every song. If you love the stereotypical 'hardcore' breakdowns, you will love every minute of this album.

As with all bands in the 'metalcore' genre, the guitar work on this album is fantastic, a great blend of soothing indie tones, contrasted next to dissonant riffing doubled by the bass guitar and kick drums. Showcased best in 'The sound of sulfur' guitarists; Jeremy Tally and Ross Ott put on a spectacular performance highlighted by the breakdown section half way through the song. Building slowly with one hard panned guitar, the riff slowly progresses over 8 bars, culminating in a machine gun section with a 4/4 crash beat forcing you to nod your head. 'I hope he loves you like I did/ when you needed me / I came for you that night'

The vocals on this disc are nothing short of phenomenal, the band manages to turn a simplistic guitar melody and soothing vocal line 'and I'd burn alive to keep you warm/when you're alone/shiver under blankets in the basement" and slowly turn it into a thrash symphony that Metallica approve of. The most important aspect of music is dynamics; there is no use in playing something heavy unless you can juxtapose it next to something quiet. The band knows this, and they have crafted their songs masterfully using this concept.

Known for their intense stage show, the music conveys a sense of urgency, as if the band knew they need to have this music heard, and they aren't going to sit down until you've heard exactly what they have to say. You will hear it, especially since I you'll find yourself turning up your speakers periodically as the album progresses.

One of the most memorable moments on this disc comes on the 9th track, 'we are the industry' after 3 minutes of heavy riffing and screaming, the song slowly degrades into a simple guitar melody with calm, matter of fact vocals whispering 'we are the industry / the birth and the death' while the drumming and guitar slowly grows over the next few bars; adding a simple change every 4 bars gives the song an epic buildup, eventually the music, and vocals reach a fevered pitch and then drop off, into static.

If you're looking for a solid album with heavy guitars, solid drumming and excellent screaming vocals, there is a damn good chance that you will enjoy the bled. If not, you have terrible taste in music, and you should be shot! Well, perhaps that isn't the case, but I really like this disc, and I hope you do as well.

Overall: 8.4

Chris Elkjar is the founder of 'trust.me' an online music magazine for the enthusiast. He spends all of his spare time immersed in music, be it writing reviews, interviews with leading bands or writing his own music.

For more of his writing, check out Trust-Me.ca - Music for robots

Washington Post
TI Joins Rihanna, Paramore, Pink On Lineup Of MTV Video Music ...
MTV.com - 7 hours ago
By MTV News staff After Rihanna, Paramore and Pink were announced early Thursday afternoon (August 21) as performers at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, ...
Britney to perform at 2008 MTV Video Music Awards suggests ... South Asian Women's Forum
Paramore, Pink and Rihanna to perform at MTV Awards NME.com
Rihanna, Pink, TI added as performers at VMAs The Associated Press
Monsters and Critics.com - The TV Guyall 117 news articles

Ars Technica
Fair Use Must Be Considered In DMCA Notices
Slashdot - 8 hours ago
I thought that the takedown notices sent to printers was ridiculous because it showed that the method the RIAA used to determine who was pirating music was ...
Will court ruling on take-down notices hamper anti-piracy efforts? CNET News
Universal Music was wrong about YouTube dancing baby iTWire
Woman can sue over YouTube clip de-posting San Francisco Chronicle
BetaNews - The Associated Pressall 188 news articles

Sony Introduces XROSS FADE: A New Spin on a DJ-Style Music System
MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
Perfect for mixing and playing music from iPod players, CDs and other music sources, XROSS FADE helps create the ultimate party soundtrack. ...

CBS News
Sheryl Crow To Give Free Music To New Voters
Gigwise, UK - 7 hours ago
by Victoria Tsigonis Sheryl Crow has announced she will be giving away free music to encourage young people to register to vote. A tactic she is calling the ...
Sheryl Crow Gives Away Her Music To Young Voters Hollyscoop
Sheryl Crow Rocks The Vote With Free Music Offer Ecorazzi
Sheryl Crow Gives Free Music As Reward To Vote News4Jax.com
CaymanMama.com (press release) - The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.comall 323 news articles

Trans World offering in-store digital music download service
Bizjournals.com, NC - 9 hours ago
Trans World Entertainment Corp. has become the first national retailer in the US to launch an in-store digital music download service, the company's ...

Benefit concert could be music to the ears of deaf Honduran child
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 1 hour ago
Several bands will perform at the Fine Line Music Cafe in downtown Minneapolis. "This is our first, big attempt to raise funds," said Brent Lucas, 26, ...

Los Angeles Times
Music and Politics
Times Online, UK - 8 hours ago
Music stirs the most elemental passions. It has roused men to battle, celebrated victories, annointed kings and accompanied the dead into the grave. ...
Gergiev: ambassador for empathy? Radio Netherlands
Russian maestro Gergiev performs in South Ossetia The Associated Press
South Ossetians enjoy requiem concert in shattered capital guardian.co.uk
all 128 news articles

Ballroom Dancer Julianne Hough Shows Her Moves in Country Music
Voice of America - 5 hours ago
People in Washington, DC are gathering on a famous street to mark the fiftieth anniversary of a popular restaurant. Katherine Cole tells us more about Ben's ...

Ontario Now
Is this the day the music dies?
Computerworld, MA - Aug 19, 2008
I've never been a fan of current popular music -- my tastes run to the eclectic (klezmer), the badly out-of-date (1920s and 1930s pop) and downright boring ...
SoundExchange Head: Pandora Is Great, But It Needs Audio Ads Wired News
Internet radio booming but threatened San Jose Mercury News
The Internet Radio Death Watch PC Magazine
Washington Post - WebProNewsall 102 news articles

Search for iTunes music by star rating
Macworld, CA - 9 hours ago
by Kirk McElhearn, Macworld.com You probably know that you can use smart playlists in iTunes to filter your music. Say you want to find all your 5-star ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Creating Your Own Unique Music