BLENDED BREW – ALBUM REVIEW & INTERVIEW

 

Blended Brew’s sophomore album, Shove It Down (Mighty Music), is a kick ass testament to pure hard hitting rock and roll. The Danish band has loaded Shove It Down with 10 explosive tunes ready to attack the very essence of your body and soul. Blended Brew is comprised of Jimmy Månsson (Vocals/Guitar), Lord Sebastian Groset (Piano/Organ), Chrisoffer Beck (Drums) and Lasse H. Mortensen (Bass). The record was a collaboration with Christian Heyman and recorded at Heyman Studios. Everything was recorded live and analog. It was then run on a tape machine to acquire a truly authentic rock feel. And what a feel it is!

Shove It Down is brazen and audacious. The music is right out of the mold of Rival Sons and The Black Crowes. Blended Brew has entrenched each song with an amazing flavor. Every song is a stand alone bona fide smash. The musicianship of the band is outstanding and the flow of the album is perfect. Lord Sebastion states “I feel that we have created a really great rock album and made a sound that I don’t hear from other Danish rock bands“.

The record opens with “Ancient Alien”. It’s a foot stomping powerhouse of a song. Beck’s dynamic percussion and Lord Sebastian’s harp work is superb. Månsson’s vocals are gritty and full of raw emotion in a vein similar to Steven Tyler. The whole tune packs a punch. “Stay in the Shadow” follows. Månsson’s guitar and Mortensen’s bass are just plain thunderous. The organ swirls overhead cementing the song’s vibrant core. Next up is “Woman I Need You” with its grungy blues riff. Again, Mortensen’s bass carries the day. Blended Brew is having a sonic field day.

By the time we get to “Electrified Loser” we are hooked. “Electrified Loser”‘with its crunchy guitar and upbeat ambiance seals the deal. Månsson’s voice fits so well with Lord Sebastian’s grooving organ. The band showcases all their musical prowess. “Rival Cunt-Give Me Your Love” starts with a killer instrumental and then blows up into this nasty blues inspired mind fuck. Groset’s keyboard solo is sublime. Blended Brew keeps hammering away with “Shove It Down”. Here the band hits its stride. “Shove It Down” is a hook laden steamroller of a song reminiscent of Alice In Chains. Everything on this song works ideally. Månsson’s voice and guitar cranks. Beck’s drums are in total control. Blended Brew is rolling. “Shove It Down” is also Blended Brew‘s political tune.

They make you believe that we are equally free

They make you believe conspiracy

They make you believe what you see is the truth

Mind of control, destruction of soul

Down in a hole, down to the ground

Shove it down, shove it down

Shove it down, down to the unknown

“If the Streets Could Talk” somewhat changes the pace. It begins with Månsson’s impassioned vocals cascading over Lord Sebastian’s rolling organ. It morphs into a Zeppelin like mid tempo rocker. “Run and Hide” continues the 80’s cadence with a driving back beat, fuzzed guitar and a solid rhythm. Here Blended Brew uses their forum to examine social commentary.

When the night approach, I am looking for those people who drool for money

See them slaves of the streets, going down for their needs, try to avoid the dummy

Now take me back away from this place, please take me back I’m losing this face

“Renegade’ has a cool quality and really highlights Lord Sebastian’s prodigious organ playing. Shove It Down ends with the ballad, “Don’t Say No”. It’s an extremely sensitive piece that shows Månsson’s range and timbre. The production is beautifully conveyed with only vocal, piano and strings. It shows a whole different side of Blended Brew.

I have to reinstate that the musicianship on this album is top notch. Each musician is a master. I do have to single out Lord Sebastian. His organ, piano and harp just grabbed me the right way. It was one of the major reasons why I really enjoyed Shove It Down.

Blended Brew has delivered a steadfast album worthy of any listener.

Lord Sebastian was kind enough to answer a few questions for AMP

AMP: Give the readers of AMP a brief synopsis on how the band formed.

LORD SEBASTIAN: Blended Brew was formed in 2009. We started out just playing cover music. Just a bunch of guys having fun and hanging out. We got to know each other and our various musical tastes.

AMP: What distinguishes Blended Brew?

LORD SEBASTIAN: Blended Brew is not very different than any other artist who is following their dream. There might be a difference in how we record our music compared to other artists nowadays. We tend to stick to an old fashioned way of recording our music.

AMP: How has the masses reacted to your sound?

LORD SEBASTIAN: We are pleasantly surprised by the feedback we are receiving. So far we have gotten amazing reviews on our new album and our sound.

AMP: Your new album, Shove It Down, is really high energy. Does that energy translate well in your live shows?

LORD SEBASTIAN: We always like to put on an energetic live show. We try to do our best to transfer that energy from the album on stage.

AMP: What’s in store for the future?

LORD SEBASTIAN: We are hoping to be back on stage as soon as possible but considering what is going on in the world right now, it’s out of our hands. Touring, songwriting, albums are all on hold.

BLENDED BREW

• Jimmy Månsson———————————Vocals/Guitar
• Lord Sebastian Groset————————–Piano/Organ/Harp
• Christoffer Beck———————————Drums
• Lasse H. Mortensen—————————–Bass

Shove It Down is Blended Brew‘s 2nd album

• Hand Patrons———————————-2015
• Shove It Down——————————–2020

NEXT POST————————————–-GREG BLACKMAN

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