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Review: 'Blake Ian'
'Alchemist'   


-  Genre: 'Rock' -  Release Date: '2008'

Our Rating:
Singer/songwriter Blake Ian (http://blakeian.com) belongs to other side of the Male Solo Artist coin, the darker, more edgy alternative to the likes of fluff pieces like John Mayer and Jack Johnson. God knows we don't need more of them. I'd rather swallow chunks of diseased pig vomit than suffer through another pale Mayer clone. So a high five to Ian for taking the less-friendly route and additional applause for producing an emotionally charged and electrifying CD.

Ian has somewhat of a harrowing voice. There are times when, such as on "A Little More," when it seems like he's in the clutches of serious pain. It sounds he's on the verge of an outburst and he's barely keeping it in. Such open feeling was the hallmark of the late Jeff Buckley, whom Ian does recall on a few songs, lyrically as well as musically. Ian veers between folk and modern rock throughout the album. "A Little More" and "Being There" draw upon the latter; the influence of the '90s alternative explosion is clearly in evidence. "Tell Me When" walks the border between Beck and Bob Dylan while the jangling "Come Home" reimagines R.E.M. with dreamy female backup vocals.

The music has a ragged, dimly-lit atmosphere throughout it, much like Neil Young's work. This is not sunny side up music but it is gripping stuff.
  author: Adam Harrington

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Blake Ian - Alchemist