Tenspoke Indies, Blinded By The Sound

Formerly known as Harrydash, the newly named Tenspoke Indies released their debut album, Blinded By The Sound, in March of 2008. With a music makeover to go with the name change, I expected a lot from this charming quartet from Tampa, Florida. Sadly, not many of these expectations were met. Although each band member showcases an exorbitant amount of talent and musicianship, it sounds as though they each play to the sound of their own drum, so to speak.

Each instrument (including weak and rather inconsistent vocals by frontman Richard Wise) plays out as though each of them is from a different band altogether. Dressed with guitar rifts that are at times reminiscent of AC/DC and vocal performances that can rarely keep up with the actual music, the beginning tracks on Blinded By The Sound are as disjointed as can be. With a combination of several genres pouring out of the guitar, bass, and vocals, it almost feels like they’re competing with one another to be heard. Musically, with songs like title track “Blinded By The Sound” and “Give To Get,” there isn’t a clean or clear melody to reach your ears, and you start to feel as confused as the music itself. The result is a toxic mess of sounds that comes off more chaotic than anything else.

Now, with that said, I feel the need to mention that there do exist perhaps some redeeming qualities behind the mess. See, just as I was about to dismiss the sound polluting my ears, Tenspoke Indies surprisingly changed things up toward the end of the album. If any accolades are to be given, they lie in songs like “May Day,” “Starlighter,” and “Dream River.” On these tracks, there’s a change of pace and a different taste. Slowing to a sway, these songs allow you to hear the boys from Tenspoke Indies working together as a whole. Their niche truly lies in their folk-like ballads, with Wise pushing his voice (as well as his songwriting) to finally meet the melodies of his bandmates.

Somehow, though, despite my continual cheerleading for the songs to exceed or at the very least meet the potential that bleeds out of every courageous beat and riff, I couldn’t get over the intial vomitous reflux that the beginning tracks caused in my gut. If only the boys from Tenspoke can cling to what they are so devilishly good at, there lies the potential for them to pollute the air waves.