SHREDnews

By Bekka Collins

As we already know thanks to a previous “Band You Should Know” feature- Barely Blind are a rock/pop-punk quartet based in the South East of Texas , made up of Brad Cuccio (bass & vocals), Reid Guidry (guitar), Will Smith (drums) and Stephen Salisbury (guitar). With a strong friendship from high school, mastered tracks and a get up and go attitude these boys had no other goal than to take on the world with their music. First with their “The Way We Operate” EP selling more that 10,000 copies and now again with their most recent release “My Life With A Giant” EP.

“My Life With A Giant” opens up with “Tommy With The Lights Out” – which when I first began listening I thought It was “Victim” by Eighteen Visions, as it begins with a similar strong guitar riff accompanied by some powerful drum beats. However, when the vocals kicked in I realized “Tommy With The Lights Out” was a very different song to what I had first expected, but a good different. It’s easy to see the rock/pop influences shine through in this first track, which easily puts a smile on my face knowing it’s a perfect beginning to what it going to be an impressive EP.

Moving into the second track “Young Love” it’s safe to say it’s a strong track, both vocally and instrumentally showing off the talent all the members hold. Next we are presented with Barely Blind’s most popular song from this EP(which they’re currently planning a music video for) “Panic Attacks Are Normal”. With no hesitation at all, everything is thrown at us at once. No intro, just a blend of empowering vocals, drums and riffs. With it’s very compelling yet catchy chorus , it’s simple to see that its a crowd pleaser and I myself have to also agree with the fans – and say it’s easily one of my favorite tracks too.

After three highly energetic tracks the boys slow it down, only slightly may I add to allow room ”Some Days Are Diamonds” and “Watch For The Apples in the Trees”. Both songs are not exactly what I’d call “slow jams” -in fact they’re no where near, but they certainly sound like a step down pace wise from those above. Yet again, both songs display fantastic instrumentals and vocals and don’t disappoint. So far I haven’t come across a bad song, and it’s not about to change either.

Now as we’re nearing the end of this spectacular 7 track EP we have “My Life With A Giant” and “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead”. Picking up the energy pace again for both tracks the standard is impressively high even for the ending tracks.”I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” is such an upbeat song- the type that has you dancing around your room (I know you all do it) I couldn’t of chosen a better song to end with. It’s leaves you on a high with a smile on your face which makes you wanna replay the album all over again.

For still a fairly young band to the scene, I was not expecting such an all-powerful second EP. I personally am throughout impressed with this EP and encourage anyone to give it a listen.

For Fans Of: All Time Low, Conditions, There For Tomorrow

Overall Rating: 9/10

Top Tracks: “Panic Attacks Are Normal” , “Watch For The Apples in the Trees”, “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead”