Blind Frog Ernie - Live By Daniel Laney

An absolute rock treat for the local area. If you're like me and are always on the look out for something new and original in the world of music, then Blind Frog Ernie may have come to the local music scene's rescue. Until this morning I hadn't actually ever seen the band play, nor had I heard any of their musical offerings. But after hearing Live I'm more than enthusiastic to learn about this quartet.

Laying it On The Line is the perfect track to open this CD, there's no annoying build-ups, no samples, and it just proudly bursts into a track that oozes with classic rock energy. Even the most naïve ear would recognise this three and a half minute opener as something special. There are particular styles and sounds that find their way over the wall of noise Blind Frog Ernie have created and it would be fair to say there is a combination of Iron Maiden, the modern Misfits line up, early Incubus and perhaps an element of Primus. But it would be far too easy to write about what Blind Frog Ernie sound a bit like and not actually convey anything.

In short Laying it On The Line is just an awesome song. If after listening to it just once, it is not stuck in your head for the rest of the day, then you have no ears! The break down in the song is particularly well placed and although you almost anticipate it, the feeling of energy it gives you can't be put into words, it's just experienced. House of Pain; track two from Live has a much more sinister approach which has given me the reason to make comparison to The Misfits.

What Blind Frog Ernie have encouraged within their sound is the fact that all musicians contribute to their fullest and it's easy to hear that all which is created individually, is needed in order to create the whole. An intricate melody line that goes up and down more times than a Russian submarine. This song is again a great rock song that can give you the feeling which is probably most like victory and a shudder of pleasure - its like watching the winning moment on Bill & Ted, or when Karate Kid won or the first time you heard Enter Sandman. A much more shorter track but the use of a frantic guitar build up makes up for this alone.

State of Mind again has darker elements, packed full of tales of a mind falling apart, it plays with self-loathing and predictability. All this and a great melody supported by a busy bass line, a fat guitar riff with drum fills to carry the whole piece along, makes for excellent listening. This track has the modesty and dignity that could be found on A Perfect Circle album and whilst not taking itself too seriously, it is possible to get involved with the music. Screeching guitars and a dirty bass part welcome us at the beginning of Observations of a drug addict.

Taking a much more stoner rock sound than previous, this song toys with various elements that wouldn't usually be found within a rock song such as disjointed beats that contradict the melodies tempo but hangs on to the heavy element with tune. Drumbeats that resemble a stampede of an African wildebeest and a manic guitar solo, in short this song is seedy but beautiful.

A much softer introduction allows One of Us to build up into the sound we have now come to expect from Blind Frog Ernie. Emotive words can be heard reaching all the notes that have the ability to wrench your heart over syncopated bass lines which again resemble A Perfect Circle or Tool. This track obviously shows a more sensitive element to Blind Frog Ernie, however fans of the heavy, do not fear as One of Us is still just as packed full of noise and great musicianship as previous tracks.

D.M.T again represents Blind Frog Ernie's sensitive and experimental aspects. Out of honesty I initially questioned whether or not this song is up to the calibre of previous tracks but after listening to it again I realised that it's just basically a nice quiet relaxing song. The lyrics seem to trip over themselves and dramatically the song still has the ability to tie in with other tracks from the E.P. Not pretentious and certainly brave D.M.T backs up the diversity of music available in the local area.

To kick you in the face one last time Dead Inside returns true to form of the Blind Frog's sound we've now come to appreciate. A frantic boom straight into this song provided by the drummer, guitarists and bassist suddenly switches into a Faith No More style tune. Blind Frog have gone all out on this track, mad, mad, mad vocal parts a scream that lasts longer than most guitar solo's, a bass line that's more twangy than a pair of grannies pants and a rhythm section unusually provided by the guitars and drums; Dead Inside consists of everything a rock song should hold. An absolute rock treat for the local area.

Plus there's a hidden track and if you want to know what its like, buy the CD.

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