Blind River Scare
EP - Killing Time
'Original Americana-tinged indie/folk rock' is how Newport's Blind River Scare describe their music. 
And hey, that pretty much nails it! However, I think 'Americana' is a bit misleading and 'indie' doesn't do them any favours, it rather dumps them into modernistic banality when they deserve better. Perhaps nu-country/folk would be more fitting! I don't know I suppose it's all semantics, what's in a name and all that.
Anyway, Blind River Scare have assembled a damn fine EP of five tasty tracks here. My immediate reaction was extremely favourable - I liked what I heard and I heard what I liked. This crowd can sure play and they've got a good handle on band/instrumental dynamics coz everything's beautifully in its place, accessible and crystal clear. The songs here are mature, well composed and very impressive if maybe just lacking in true greatness; for me, Blind River Scare try just a little too hard to enunciate and project their voices. Nowt wrong with that, we all want to be able to hear what's being sung, especially when the lyrics are worthwhile as is the case here. But, I can't help but feel that Blind River Scare's very English (sorry Wales, British!) delivery detracts a tad from the overall feel of things. Less is more and all that - let some dialect slip in, don't be afraid of using colloquialisms here and there and don't let language rule the heart to the detriment of 'grit', soul and metering.
So, nit-picking over and down to this EP; 'Killing Time' is very well put together, extremely likeable and a real grower. It carries a generally bright feel with it and is pretty easy to listen to. I get the feeling that Blind River Scare aren't trying to copy any other outfit, even out of professional deference - Blind River Scare are doin' it their way, in their style, their sound, their dynamics - and it works all the better for being real honest and homely!! Blind River Scare work hard at obtaining precision in the instrumental department and the rewards for that attention to detail are clear to hear. I love the hint of country (the Americana?) in their music and I like the fact that Blind River Scare have modernised what is essentially a very British folk feel. All the tracks here are well crafted and they all work extremely well - for me, a bit less here and perhaps a bit more there and all would be that much stronger, more fluid and smoother. Ok then, 'Killing Time' is a truly well rounded and honest EP from the impressive Blind River Scare - a great promo work and a real nice change from the 'norm' and methinks just the start of bigger and perhaps better things from Blind River Scare.
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