The sheer charisma that Blue Ether display on their debut album is mind-blowing. Through hairy guitar riffs, tight grooves, and unforgettable bass tones, Apathy is a distinctive collection of a distinctive new strain of sophisticated and immersive alternative rock that stormed by too quickly, leaving us hungry for more.
Blue Ether is a musical project based in Chicago, Illinois, composed of five musicians from the local scene who survived lockdown year and decided to create a rock act. After a period of intensive songwriting, Blue Ether’s debut collection of tunes does an amazing job of displaying the group’s massive range that goes from intricate, prog-like compositions to stone age, hammer-fisted, and brash riffing. Regardless of direction, the songs on Apathy are rich with a personality that’s directly derived from the album’s scruffy guitars, punchy and roomy mixing jobs, and ultimately, from frontman Robert Tobin’s instantly recognizable twang and delicately thunderous deliveries.
The album starts with the title song ‘Apathy’. The song is a fantastic display of the band’s blend of garage rock sensibilities and classic rock drive. The bass line on ‘Apathy’ sounds addictive, just as the vocals that are superbly delivered. The song’s structure is wacky, and the few riffs that hardly have anything to do with one another somehow fit together rather snugly, glued together by the delicious mix, and by Tobin’s distinctive vocal style. ‘Knocked Down’ is a rather infectious riff that repeats until the paint comes off the wall. The song is loud and bold, and infinitely catchy. A sublime showcase of Blue Ether’s immense power and knack for rock.
The acoustic country folk of ‘One For The Road’ is one of the album’s few distinctive tunes that really reminded me of 70s music, specifically of Led Zeppelin’s bluesy country masterpieces such as ‘Black Country Woman’ with its sleazy drawling riff and in-your-face production. The following ‘Hold On’ is the complete opposite. This electrified modern rocker is tight and punchy, with its fair share of synth pads, a syncopated groove, and a Tom Morello-ish lead guitar part, making for an entertaining listen. The exceptional drum part and impeccable restraint of the guitars on the penultimate ‘All U Need’ makes for one of the album’s punchiest rock cuts, and with a modulated guitar solo that’s dripping with 80s charm, the song might be the album’s most fulfilling piece of rock. Decade-hopping rock.
After an unforgettable closer that’s chic, subdued, yet electrifying, and terrifically well-paced, ‘Cruel’ ends the album on a melodic and addictive dance anthem. Blue Ether’s debut album is a fine-tuned album of music that’s inspired by a ton of stuff, all the way from the 70s to the modern day. The Chicago 4-piece are debuting by a collection that showcases songwriting maturity, production finesse, and most of all, the delicate, unmistakable musicianship of 4 guys just having a blast.
