Review Summary: Where the freshman album was clearly going for a slicker industrial pop sound, Blu’s sophomore effort is a grittier approach that is best described as a wired world where power rock meets electronic/dub step.
Talk about great timing. I'd received the EPK for Danny Blu's second album; "saint" (Factory22 Records), well before the actual and promised physical press kit arrived via snail mail. While I had already scribbled out a rough draft of this review, I must say, what a difference there is in listening to music straight off a CD as opposed to those cramped, compressed MP3 files. It was also great to see one of my very own published reviews of his first album ("Do Your Worst") included in his press kit. A reminder that what I enjoy most about reviewing independent music is when you can watch a musician's career grow artistically, as well as their progression up the entertainment industry food chain.
"saint" offers nine new songs and one remix of an older recording off the aforementioned earlier release ("In the Dark - the Fraust remix" from "Do Your Worst"). Where the freshman album was clearly going for a slicker industrial pop sound, Blu's sophomore effort is a grittier approach that is best described as a wired world where power rock meets electronic/dub step. It's also deeply personal, as the accompanying cover letter paper clipped to the press kit explained, "Each song on this album is about struggle. The struggle to love, the struggle to defy love, the struggle to overcome, the struggle to apologize, the struggle to fight back, the struggle to be heard, the struggle to sacrifice, the struggle to live without regret. It's dedicated to you. For just like every other saint, somewhere deep inside, you know you are holy."
Top tunes on "saint" include, "Dead Like Me", "As It Seems" and "All Night". When you hear lines like "I'm as pretty as an I.V. drip and just as temporary. I'm as pretty as an exit wound, just half as fun..." well Toto, you know you're not in Kansas anymore more. In addition to some pretty impressive vocal work from Mr. Blu you have the Factory Blu band consisting of guitarist Felix Skiver, Phil Chaikin on bass with drums and percussion provided by Billy Long.
Speaking of his growth in the entertainment business, Danny's now become involved with making a documentary film about the band's first national tour and their planned sided stops at schools, community centers and shelters to talk to kids about teenage and cyber bullying. He's actively raising funds for this ongoing crusade and you can find out more about it, and even help out if you wish by taking a few moments and going to: http://igg.me/at/dannyblu/x/6357070
RIYL: Adam Lambert, David Bowie, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails
http://thefactoryblu.com
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http://youtu.be/I9gat1Us46s
