Blow Up Hollywood - Blue Sky Blond

This is the first album I have heard from BUH since 2004’s ‘Fake’, although it has been only been three years since ‘Collections’, and there have been some other albums in between as well. Their website gives little in the way of who is involved, although singer/guitarist Steve Messina obviously is as it is his band, but interestingly they say that this album is “ambient pop/rock” whereas they originally came to prominence through the prog scene. Well, there are some prog influences here, but the prominent sound is that of a laid back Coldplay, with some slight touches at times of Muse and Porcupine Tree. The result is something that is, well, pleasant. “Shine” wouldn’t sound out of place on radio, and is easily the standout song on the album. Piano led, with hooks aplenty, gentle orchestration and some good female harmony vocals against Steven’s voice make this song a delight. But, for the most part this is an album that drifts along with little in the way to really capture my attention. It’s not that it is a bad album, as it is well recorded and well performed, but rather this style of music is not one that I would generally listen to. If you enjoy music that drifts along without being obtrusive then this may well be for you, and although it would definitely appeal to fans of the likes of Coldplay I somehow doubt that it will sell in the same quantities. For more information visit www.blowuphollywood.com