Blued, Bright and Certain

Judging by the song “Perpetual Leather,” Blued is comprised of a bunch of cheeky buggers, but you know what? It’s cool. That song is all about making it big and being able to say, “Yeah baby, that’s right, that’s right it’s for real.” It’s fun, and if you’re a dork like me, it’s one that you could easily sing along to in your car or the shower, whatever your preference.

If I had to try and categorize this band — which, by the simple fact that I am writing a review about them, I kinda do — I’d say they’re Irreverent Hipsters. There seems to be an ease and a comfort to Bright and Certain, one that makes you feel as if they aren’t taking themselves too seriously and are doing this for the joy of the music they are creating. The songwriting is honest and real and allows for a really strong connection — you can put yourself in that place, in that time. You can understand and empathize or laugh or cry. “Exodus for Girls,” for example: ” I could only pass you by / Never said two words to you but I played them in my mind / Response, then rewind.” Who hasn’t been there? Painful and eloquent.

Overall, there’s that certain quality that screams “cool indie flick soundtrack,” which in large part can be attributed to the sound of James Escamilla’s vocals but also, I think, to the rawness of the instrumentals. I get a White Stripes vibe from some of the tracks, which I quite like. I don’t feel they are trying to be Britpop, like most bands seem to be doing nowadays; what they’re doing just works, and that’s good enough for me.