REVIEW:
BLUES PILLS
SELF-TITLED
NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS
BY ERIK SUGGOh, Sweden. Cold, Scandinavian country of the northern hemisphere known for its socialism, potted herring, beautiful women, and its friendly, near-timid, residents whenever they’re not shooting their prime minister. Sweden is also known for music–well written and well executed music, often rivaling seminal musical countries like the United States and England. Whether it’s classic Swedish prog groups like November or Kebnekaise, death metal bands like Entombed or At the Gates, retro garage rock like the Hellacopters and The Hives, or the current wave of doom traditionalists like Graveyard and Witchcraft, it’s doubtful you’ll find a music lover who doesn’t celebrate at least one Swedish group in their catalog. Besides, everyone has a secret soft spot for Abba, right?
Blues Pills is the latest talent to blast out of Sweden and into our collective orbit, (although the band technically features members from all over the globe). The band emerged in 2011 and immediately took the European festival scene by storm with their good looks, their flowing locks, and their ‘69-era Fleetwood Mac-infused sound. If you’re reading these words, rolling your eyes and groaning, “Just what need… ANOTHER Swedish retro band,” just stop there. These soulful, psychedelic blues rockers will make you eat those words. Blues Pills is inventive and authentic, and is sure to blaze through seas of mediocrity and apathy to shine like the stars these incredibly young musicians were born to be. Their self titled debut, courtesy of Nuclear Blast, may very well be one of the best releases of 2014.
