Manic Bloom - Manic Bloom

Published Thursday 27th May 2010
Manic Bloom - Manic Bloom
Manic Bloom - Manic Bloom

STYLE: Rock
RATING 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 93703-16552
LABEL: Independent
FORMAT: CD EP
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Gareth Hills

Nashville-based Manic Bloom's first EP is an exciting, energetic release, an intriguing fusion of Muse-esque prog-rock sensibilities and chugging metal riffage, all held together by considerable songwriting prowess. Sometimes sounding a little like Fair To Midland, this five-piece navigate a course between touches of baroque-tinged piano and crushing, but not overbearing, heaviness. Drummer Jeff Brinkley particularly shines, his style complementing the other members perfectly while driving the songs onward with relentless energy, while Jeff Hildebrand's assertive, yet lyrical piano work (a definite Billy Joel influence here) also deserves special mention, and gives the music its distinctive edge. The songwriting too is mature, and surprisingly raw, as on "Everything I Saved You From" and "Betrayer". However, if there's any criticism I could make, it would be that, while they've found their own sound, they don't experiment with it as much as they perhaps could. Hopefully, this will come as the band establishes itself. Manic Bloom have created a refreshing, hard-hitting EP.

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