The Blank Stares - All Blown Up

Yeah! Our kind of power pop, big time! The type that mixes many cool sub-genres of the power pop discussion inside of really good `n fun songs. Take some classic Sweet-style glam, add some Fuzzbubble(and Teen Machine, for those who remember this band), the best pure pop moments from Redd Kross, some Enuff `Z Nuff/Cheap Trick/Posies and Teenage Fanclub and, finally, dose it with some of the energy from The Beatles around 1964 and you have something very much like The Blank Stares. The Blank Stares` tunes pulse with happy sing-songy pure power pop backed by amped up energy, high on the fun content. Undiluted exuberance and glee all frolicking in a pop-playpen of kitschy pop gems and an indie power pop writers` wet-dream. Many thanks to Not Lamer Mike Polkabla for turning us onto this great slice of pop!

"All Blown Up" pulses with a happy sing-songy spirit, tons of bouncy, memorable pop hooks and an strong affection for the hopped-up power of The Beatles "Something Else". Float around for a bit in the ultra-uber cool mergings of pop nostalgia and sub-genre all over this release. I find not a single fault with a single note on this record. Grade: Perfect, unambiguous "A".

This album is a pleasure to the ears. Great pop songwriting, incredible engineering and stellar vocals. Take one half Big Star add to that one half Teenage Fan Club with a dash of Sloan, that is what awaits you when you press play. Make no mistake about it though, The Blank Stares have created a sound that is all their own. All songs are excellent but some highlights include the guitar driven power pop gem, "Song That Brought The World To Ruin", the poppy "Daylights"" with an infectious chorus, the melodic "Here She Comes" with very tasty guitar work arranged to perfection, and the upbeat "Dynamite Sneakers". `All Blown Up` is amazing on so many levels, I don`t even know quite where to begin! There is something here for everyone who likes power pop. Every track is so well crafted that it`s worth every penny. If you`re a newcomer to The Blank Stares and have read this far, forget what else you`re looking at and order ALL BLOWN UP immediately. You can thank me later, but your ears will thank you first."-AllAccessMag.

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