REVIEW: BLEEKER – ERASE YOU (2017)

Published:

Rub one out as the Canadian trio unleash the full length

Last autumn a five track EP arrived in the MV inbox from a Canadian trio. Yeah, we know what you’re thinking but those are the only things that Bleeker have in common with Rush.

Except one more. Both are ace.

Bleeker deal with pop rock and have hooks, oh Lord have they got hooks. They can also pack their songs with thrills and spills and still wrap them up in handy bite sized sub three minute packages.

“Erase You” has been  out in their homeland for a while, but you’d better be thankful that its finally got a UK release, because, just like the EP suggested it would, it rules.

Five of the songs are on both. The opener “Highway” is a glam slam of thing, as Cole and Taylor Perkins take care of the fuzzy riffs and vocals with Mike Van Dyk (to be fair this is our favourite name of the week, hands down) adding a bassy rumble. A fabulous song, it was good enough to be played the weekend’s superbowl, apparently.

You never know, they might be back for the half-time show one day.

Whatever, “Free” is a song of empowerment (they kick her to the kerb, the bitch) but you’d be forgiven for not noticing so good is the melody. “Getting Out” – the first one that isn’t on the EP – is more psychedelic, but no less fun, while the title track sounds like it should be epic, but it does its thang in just over two and a half minutes.

The drums being electronic sets Bleeker apart from the competition, but doesn’t dilute the power of these songs. The balladic “I’m Not Laughing Now” would have radio hit written all over it if anyone had the balls to play new music these days, while the countryfied“ Still Got Love” has a kind of Cadillac Three vibe and if MV ever went to parties then this would be the soundtrack.

There is a real versatility here. One of the highlights of the EP “Where’s Your Money?” is still a highlight here as Perkins unleashes some Prince style funkiness from out of nowhere, “Emergency” has an 80s infatuation and “Close My Eyes” uses pianos to fine effect and is Bleeker’s stab at arena rock.

Largely, though is glam rock pop if you will, and “Every Time You Call” is a fine example,  while in between all this is a cover of “Radio Radio” which proves a couple of things. Firstly Elvis Costello could knock out brilliant songs in his sleep, and that fresh-faced Canadian’s can inject them a lip-curling snotty air even 30 odd years later.

There’s a verse in that song: “Some of my friends want to sit around every evening and they worry about the times ahead,” it says. “but everybody else is overwhelmed by indifference and the promise of an early bed.”

Not Bleeker. They are too young and too full of vigour to worry about a nap. Like Bon Jovi said, “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead”.The sound of youthful, fun rock n roll is alive and well and living in Canada it seems.

Rating 8/10

Previous article
Next article

More From Author

spot_img

Popular Posts

Latest Gig Reviews

Latest Music Reviews

spot_img

Band Of The Day