Music: "Silent Treatment" by The Bled

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 My my guys.  You just keep honing your sound into a more razor-sharp knife with every album.  This being their third album.  Every time I hear a new Bled album I seem to like them more and more.  If it isn't the melodic mix with disjointed chords on the guitars or Pedicone's nice uptempo and urgent delivery on the drums.  Its the abstract lyrics and unique vocal delivery of Munoz.  Oh and they've gotten heavier.  Where as Pass the Flask was heavy.  Found in the Flood had more of a indie/art type rock feel to it.  This one has them combining those elements into a heavy amalgamation that just hits the spot with me.  The breakdowns in these songs have a melodic quality going in with them.  They are well thought out in that they don't project that its going to happen like a lot of bands.  It just happens and you are just left in a pile of dust.  Listen to opener "Shadetree Mechanics" to get a feel for their breakdowns.  Perfect first song too.  Sets the tone for the urgency of this album.

 Another wonderful element of the Bled is that they know how to lighten up every now and then and change up.  Every twist and turn of a song is exciting and unexpected for me.  Yes many could call it screamo or what have you.  I just call it good music.  The guitars often seem as though they are dueling but its neat how they can sometimes be playing two different things at once.  The drummer is just a madman.  He does odd times.  He does quiet interludes.  He does slowdowns that are devastating.  The man is just a machine.  Tight yet unhinged.  Me likes.  The bass as usual just seems to go along with the guitars.  I can't hear it much.  Mix it high a little bit guys.  Come on.  The bassist is more than just a rhythm/ time keeper.  The lead singer is in top form once again with his really easy on the ears clean voice and his scathing throaty scream.  Lovin' it.

 The production on this thing is just monstrous.  Very crisp.  Very clear.  The bottom end is where it shines.  Breakdowns hit.  They hit hard.  The kick drum just has an awesome sound.  Little bit of click yet deep and booming.  Not sloppy or mechanical.  The drums all have a nice organic sound to them though.  The guitars reside nicely in the mix.  I love how in heavy parts they don't just do chugging.  Always loved that about the Bled.  They don't just play regular staccato chugs.  The mix it up.  The bass as usual is just mixed in witht he drums.  Nice low end sound.  But they could open up more on it.

 If I have one major quibble with this album is that the songs are a little too brief.  There are a few songs that got on a good track and just when they start rolling on that track really well the song ended leaving me wanting more.  So some songs come off a little quick in an unfocused sort of way.  That and the bass are probably my only two gripes with this album.  Other than that The Bled has done it again.  Keep up the good work.  They just keep wowing me with every album.

- Darrel