Some bands, some records, resist my policy against reviewing RIAA materials. This is one of them. Those Darlins are, simply put, fantastic. Even if they’ve signed to a major label, “Oh Wow Dang Records,” that label is hardly a major one. Yeah, they pay RIAA dues–which makes them part of the anti-music corporate machine–but the band’s sound hasn’t been affected.
Blur the Line is terrific. No, there’s no lame cover of the song of the summer. Instead, the album offers a collection of rock, pop and Americana originals. The music is somewhat similar to previous offerings by the band, but there’s a lot more of an edge to it. More toe-tapping, more accessible hooks, but without sacrificing the wonderful lyrics and the band’s ability to combine musical emphasis and wonderful vocals in a perfect, even mix.
If you’ve never heard this band before, I have to say that I did like their eponymous debut more (it was one of the best albums of 2009)
http://berkeleyplaceblog.com/2009/12/01/the-best-independent-albums-of-the-year/. The band lost founding member Kelley Anderson in 2012, but they’re still going strong.
