BARONESS — Blue Record (review)

BARONESS — Blue Record album cover Album · 2009 · Sludge Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Kingcrimsonprog
Baroness are a metal band from Virginia USA who mix sludge, stoner and prog influences to create an interesting sounding brand of metal with a lot of twists and turns.

Their music is often compared with bands like Mastodon, Kylessa, High On Fire and even bands Isis and Neurosis. They do share varying degrees of similarities or else they have toured with these bands but largely have their own style. If you are a fan of any of those bands or just that general area of the genre, then check out Baroness it is very likely the type music that you’d enjoy.

Blue Record is their second full length studio album, which was released in 2009 and saw the band expand on the sound that they started with 2007′s Red Album, moving further away from easy Mastodon comparisons and forging their own feel. Blue Record features a stronger emphasis on acoustic sections, as well as songs which explore more riffs and beats in shorter time spans, resulting in a more dense sound overall.

Due to the fact that the music is a little denser and more challenging than on their debut, the album is somewhat of a grower and may not take you aback as instantly as its predecessor did but the overriding quality and additional weight should win you over in a couple of listens. Blue Record is the type of album where you find new little bits to enjoy on each new listen and that rewards you for your patience.

Highlights include the brilliant semi-acoustic `Steel That Sleeps The Eye,’ as well as `The Sweetest Curse’ and finally `A Horse Called Golgotha,’ which has one of the most bittersweet opening riffs ever written as well as superb drumming and powerful choruses.

The album is produced very well indeed, conveying the multifaceted sound perfectly but maintaining a garage style energy throughout and perfectly supporting the rock solid songwriting. Overall; Blue Record is just a straight up excellent record and each individual song is good in its own right, although once again just missing some indefinable special something that would elevate it to classic status. If you enjoy this type of music Baroness are definitely a proposition worth checking out, and no Baroness fan should be without Blue Record!
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