This 1997 self-titled release by Blindside was actually the last CD of theirs I bought. It's safe to say it completed my Blindside collection quite beautifully. I'm not sure if it's possible for these Swedes to disappoint me.

Blindside kicks off with the high-energy "Invert". The beginning is absolutely explosive. "Start the motor, let the engine spin! Give it fuel so it can’t stop within," vocalist Christian Lindskog's speedy sing-screams punctuate the song wonderfully. It's so raw, and while it screams 'debut album' due to the lack of the band's prettily-polished sound of 2002's Silence, it's no less enjoyable. "Eye! For! An! Eye! Some things are hard to say goodbye to."

"Born" begins with a funky, jerky beat and Christian singing quite softly. He never really reaches a scream until the end of the song: "Why do you have to fear, why do you have to fear...you don't even have to FEAAAAAAR!" It's an awesome song, and one of the best songs on the album.

Track 3, "Empty Box", was actually the first song I heard from this album; I downloaded it a few years ago. Honestly, it didn't give me a great impression of this CD. The beginning shows promise, with a thunderous drum intro from the amazing Marcus Dahlstrom, followed by a barricade of wails from Lindskog: "The charade is over now..." but unfortunately winds down to a sleepy drone, "Can't climb out of your empty box alone. You can't climb out of your empty box alone." Although I wouldn't call this completely skippable, it pales in comparison to most other Blindside songs.

"Superman" is remarkable, and it makes me sad that it's only two-and-a-half minutes long. The verses are so fun, and the four-times repeated choruses are unbeatable. "I would like to breathe the air that I need! Would like some bread - although I've just been fed!" This is one of my personal favorite Blindside songs, and was an immediate stand-out song from this album.

The self-examining "Nerve" follows in the jumpy-beat/half-rappish/singish/screamish sound of its predecessors. Guitarist Simon Grenehed trades off lines with Christian - "TENSED! But still so calm. ALRIGHT! Leaning on Your arm. Beautiful spirit...TALK TO ME! Holy spirit! WALK WITH ME!" My favorite part is definitely after the first chorus, in which Christian verbally whiplashes us with "They are liberated minds, and I'm a narrow minded fool. They are liberated minds, and I'm a narrow minded fooool!" Another stand-out track.

"Nerve" transitions beautifully into "This Shoulder". I can't say enough about "This Shoulder". I'm just in love with it. "Come with me," Christian's quiet vocals graze an infectious beat. "Ride upon my shoulder, why don't you?" he suggests. "Don't you see - you can't fall down when you're on my shoulders." The common complaint about this album is prevalent in this song: the song is NOT long enough. However, enjoy it while it lasts - this song is stunning.

"Replay" is nothing short of awesome. "There I go again, without having anything to say!" Christian's confessional, honest lyrics combined with the raw sound so evident on this debut make for such a wonderful song. "Shut your eyes and cover your ears! I can't see my eyes, 'cause my mouth is too wide open..."

If someone was randomly listening to "One Mind" and didn't know who the band singing it was, they'd know by the chorus. "Blindside! What am I gonna SAY when you come my way? Blind...siiiiide!" This song is definitely one that grows on you after several listens. First, I wasn't extremely impressed by it, but now there are times I skip straight to it. I'm not sure why, but it somehow reminds me of track 5, "Nerve". Hmm. More vocal trade-offs between Simon and Christian. Maybe that's why.

"Liberty" is a pretty confused song musically. Approximately every thirty seconds, it changes from barely any music to raging guitars, also changing between Christian whispering/screaming - but any Blindside fan is already familiar with that. "IT TICKLES! You just want to play. IT TICKLES!" Not a favorite of mine, but it has its moments. Listen to it, if for no other reason than to hear Christian Lindskog say "IT TICKLES!"

"Daughter" is, well, interesting. Blindside seemed to have went the story-telling route here (as none of them have children), and played the role of a father who is disgusted by his daughter's excessively fake image. "Why do you have to wear that makeup? Fakeup? See, your thoughts are screaming in my face!"

"I'll be there to wipe away your tears, but I'll never become your teddybear," Christian warns in track 11, "Teddybear". "I'm no teddybear, I'm no teddybear," he confirms. Don't mess with him again or he'll scream. "I'll never become your TEDDYBEAAAAR!" It's weird, because most people consider this a standout track on the album. I don't hate it, obviously (nothing Blindside comes out with could be hate-worthy), but as I said about "Empty Box", it really, really pales in comparison to "This Shoulder", or "Superman", for instance.

"Never" is musically similar to "Daughter" and "Liberty". "One...two...three..stop! Break!" Christian begins. "And if I didn't see you, you're fake." Another song about images and false perceptions. An all-around AWESOME song.

Blindside obviously fails to capture the FLAWLESSNESS that accompanies Silence or About A Burning Fire, but it is a spectacular solid debut album by a band that is eerily talented. I highly recommend that you give ALL of Blindside's albums a try.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Exercising