Blood on the Tracks - Blood on the Tracks

Genre rock Publisher Em Dash Music External Links Official Blood on the Tracks Website Official Em Dash Music Website

I'm not sure whose idea it was to name this band after a seminal Bob Dylan album but it wasn't a good one, especially considering their music has almost nothing in common with the revered folk singer/guitarist/poet/legend apart from the fact that they, too, happen to play music. If they were, say, a Bob Dylan tribute band, this choice would make more sense. But they're not. This is a three-piece alt-rock trio from California and their self-titled debut has nothing to do with being "Tangled Up" in anything.

For being a first effort from a very young group all is not lost here. Everyone seems to be able to play their instruments reasonably well and some of the chord progressions and change-ups are interesting. Unfortunately, any hope of the songwriting finding its own light is squashed in the even-handed, super-safe mix; it's so evenly spaced and balanced that the only thing that stands out is BOTT's lack of schtick. It's not disagreeable music persay; it's just completely unsurprising.

Overall, the arrangements are passable except for the fact that they lack endings. "In Flames" is promising until an awkward rhythmic transition in the middle, after which it keeps going when it should've/could've been wrapped up. "Tonight" has a misleadingly horrible intro; if you can get past that, then the potentiality I speak of is evident in it's infectious chorus. "Perfect" could do without the extra chorus and shave a minute or so off. More slick production and whiney vocals bring to mind the pop/punk delivery made popular by Blink 182 - not a particularly positive association. Mildly entertaining. Minimally moving. Eh.

The sheen from the production is blindingly teeth-grinding and the perfect example of why a band sometimes shouldn't record unless they can afford a producer. There is a glimmer of promise here provided some edges get toned down (vocally) and other edges sharpened (lyrically, structurally, stylistically). They also need a new name. I mean, I love The Beatles but I'm not going to start a band and name it "The While Album" after one of the most influential and important albums of an entire generation. If you love Bob then find an esoteric reference; a word or turn of phrase that means something to only you for heaven's sake and run with that. Lord knows that "Like a Rolling Stone" has plenty to choose from.