Much of the music from the 60's has
a distinct sound that embodies an important time in the history of rock.
Maybe it's that haunting guitar and vocals that were recorded onto
magnetic tape and run through vacuum-tube equipment. Maybe it's the
spirit of the time that was captured by music; the changing society and
psychedelic youth movement. Or, maybe still, it was the relative
'innocence' of rock and roll in that era of experimentation. Whatever it
was, The Blue Squares have managed to capture not only a similar sonic
quality, but the overall feel of good-ol'-fashioned 60's rock.
The Blue Squares hail from Detroit, Michigan.
They began as a band in 2007 and are made up of 4 members; Jacob Longton
(Vocals/Guitar/Organ), Jason Barthlow (Bass), Matt Sawicki (Drums/Piano), and
Andy Zillgitt (Guitar/Organ). They have produced 3 releases, a live
studio EP (Live in Studio at GBS Detroit), their debut full album (Hard Times),
and their most recent release (The Blue Squares). Though their style
draws heavily on 60's rock, they also incorporate blues, soul, garage rock, and
R&B.
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| Their newest album, "The Blue Squares" |
A song that is exemplary of their
60's influence, on The Blue Squares album, is Once In A While. It
begins with slightly fuzzed, strummed rhythm guitar that is soon sent into
the background by the cleaner lead guitar. While the guitars begin to
send the listener on a journey, the organ reinforces the message with sustained
organ chords. The tambourine and light percussion is also used to
establish a steady beat, while the bass stays neatly tucked behind the main
instrumentals as a grounding factor. One of the larger parts of the band's
music is Jacob Longton's voice. His vocals are filled with power and
control, as well as emoting a certain mysterious quality. In addition to
all of this, the song truly sounds as though it was on a reel-to-reel tape
being run through a tube pre-amp and vintage speakers. All of these
factors culminate to create a song that is both engrossing and has the
ability to transport you back to another time.
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| The Blue Squares live |
The next track on the album is Out To Sea.
This song begins with a harder, more distorted guitar riff and is,
generally, more assertive. This time, the drums play a more
prominent role, as they are brought to the foreground of the song and are
more active. The vocals take a slightly different approach, as they seem
more punk-like and aggressive. The vocals in the song end fairly quickly
and give way to an instrumental section that lasts the rest of the song.
Whilst a steady drumbeat plays, the organ and guitar come together in a
fusion of psychedelia and hints of garage rock.
It's important to note that their
other 2 releases are very solid and enjoyable listens. They, too, combine
elements of psychedelic rock and DIY music in the characteristic style of The
Blue Squares. They are definitely worth checking out and listening to, as
they also provide insight into how the band has evolved from both a technical
and stylistic viewpoint.
Overall, The Blue Squares are a group that has successfully released music that
is reminiscent of an era long past (yet cherished musically), but also
current and appealing to a modern audience. Their signature 60's rock/DIY
rock/soul/blues style has allowed them to stand out within the Detroit music
scene and the music community as a whole. Check out their music on their
Bandcamp page (https://thebluesquares.bandcamp.com/album/the-blue-squares). Also, be sure to check out their website for band news
and to complete the 60's aesthetic by buying their albums on vinyl (http://www.thebluesquares.com). Don't forget to head over to their Facebook page either
(https://www.facebook.com/thebluesquares).
Thank you for visiting my blog and
reading this review. Please feel free to comment on this article about
whatever you feel like (suggestions, what you think of the band, etc...).
If you would like to contact me for any reason, check out the 'Contact' tab above. Have a nice day and rock on!
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