The Blood Rush Hour “Shrink”
Welsh combo lead by Robert DiStefano, The Blood Rush Hour is a carefully crafted pop album that draws from 10cc, Jellyfish and Andrew Gold. But this band doesn’t just take influences, it twists them in knots. “The Way Back Home” is a smart opener with keys, horn accents and a little theatrical guitar solo. A great example of the shifts in tone is “Into The Fire.” It starts with a beatnik beat and sax, then shifts into a harmony filled chorus with a guitar heavy hook. My favorite “Came To Believe” is a gorgeous melody, that sounds a lot like Supertramp mixed with Roger Manning Jr.
Nothing here is predictable, and its simply hypnotic. “Delme” and the bright “Portrait of Jane” are reminiscent of Klaatu. The fact that you have two distinct vocalists here means, that you’re taken a back when Peter Tomlinson’s “The Nancy Song” and “Upon Losing A Kindred” prove to be a pleasant surprise. The jazzy swing undercurrent is throughout the album, with brass and brush drum and piano – it pops up occasionally. Another gem here is “The Tale of Lancelot” with its minor chord melody and it all comes together on the end track “Show Me Yourself” which ironically is the most power poppy song here. Definitely one of the most inventive albums this year. Fans of the mentioned influences, Martin Newell and Spygenius will love this. Highly recommended.
