Too often rock singers sing about love and drugs, life and drugs, being famous and drugs, rock and roll and drugs. We hear about such evils of being popular around the same time we hear about all the groupies and wild parties that ruled their hard lifestyles until a point came later in life when the decision was made to be more understanding, more compassionate and more human. I think that’s why we clamor around rock bands that have survived 10 years, shaved off their long hair, started to wear clothing to hide their massive tattoos, or made themselves public on new reality shows – because we loved them when they rocked out but also feel that they are just as human as we are, it just took them a little longer to realize it. It is true that fame has both its high points and low points – and each will be detailed by some cable channel no matter how insignificant you may have become. Yet, that’s not the case here with Concrete Blonde. For years they made awesome music under the popular radar – and with each CD including Bloodletting it seems they didn’t truly care about trying to be more mainstream. They wanted to rock out, they wanted to please fans, they wanted to be true to their musical message.

Which is why, Bloodletting is one of Concrete Blonde’s best albums (Still in Hollywood would also get a five star rating!). If you want mainstream music look elsewhere – and if all you like is mainstream music you shouldn’t have even searched for this album or group in the first place. Furthermore, although “labeled” as such; I wouldn’t call Bloodletting gothic by any means – (and least by a 2003 definition) expect perhaps for a few tracks that make notation of vampires. Labeling the band is what could and would have destroyed them to their fans – something I won’t do.

I give five stars to Concrete Blonde’s Bloodletting and add it to Kristinafh’s May Music Madness event for it is an album that encompasses the wide spectrum of musical talent and emotional beliefs that Concrete Blonde has and is able to carry forth to their close knit fans. Some may say that Bloodletting was the darkest album in their career and even a few have labeled the album the turning point in the band’s career for the worse - but it was also their biggest album full of life and hope. True, on many tracks the band forgets their L.A. punk roots and instead goes for smooth guitar and soft drum driven beats – but still the album has a few hard core rock tunes all the while encompassing Johnette’s emotional lyrics.

The most “famous” track from Bloodletting was Joey, one of two compassionate tracks named after a person (if you disregard Tomorrow, Wendy which was a remake of Andy Prieboy’s original song). With Joey, Johnette sings, “Joey, honey - I got some money. All is forgiven. Listen, listen. And if I seem to be confused. I didn't mean to be with you. And when you said I scared you, well I guess you scared me too. But we got lucky once before. And if you're somewhere out there passed out on the floor. Oh Joey, I'm not angry anymore.” The song begins in a triumphal way and then immediately gets into a groove as Johnette sings almost in a whispery voice. The guitar cords and drums fall into a repetitive pattern giving Johnette ‘s voice the chance to slowly build as she gets Joey’s message across.

In a tribute to a friend’s passing, Caroline is a methodical tribute where Johnette’s voice ranges from monotone to emotional as she sings, “In another life I see you as an angel flying high and the hands of time will free you. You will cast your chains aside, and the dawn will come and kiss away every tear that's ever fallen from your eyes. Behind those eyes, I wonder.” Very similar to Joey, the guitar chords and drums fall into a catchy yet repetitive pattern, taking second seat to Johnette’s intense vocals. Caroline must have been someone really special to the band for you can easily tell the emotional levels Johnette has for her friend, and does it in a special way that she gets her message across to the ordinary listener.

Rock out tracks start with the trashy punk rant Sky Is a Poisonous Garden. The track is fast and Johnette’s voice hardly ever takes a breath or falls into the trappings of a chorus. There are hard guitars, a guitar solo, loud drums, and eventually Johnette’s voice gets higher in pitch and higher in intensity. Days and Days, one of the better tracks on Bloodletting, begins with a dark guitar solo with drums soon introduced. Although the chorus “Days and days…” (4x) gets a little tiresome after a while, the track is a pure party track. Days and Days leads into The Beast a return to the “blood” in Bloodletting theme as the lyrics state “Love is the leech, sucking you up. Love is a vampire, drunk on your blood. Love is the beast that will tear out your heart. Hungrily lick it and painfully pick it apart.” Fear not timid listeners, it never feels that Concrete Blonde is taking their song into the deep dark abyss that some artists (aka Marilyn Manson) dwell in.

Unfortunately, most will never know Concrete Blonde. Their CD’s are normally found buried in the C section of a music store with maybe a copy or two scarcely found awaiting purchase. But that doesn’t stop Concrete Blonde. They continue to release new albums even to this day releasing their first live album, Live in Brazil in 2003, a two disc collection of some of their greatest hits. Although I’m not bound to hear their songs on the radio or know of many friends who have heard of them – I’m glad that I found this band. They are one of the most underrated bands I know of in existence – and if you ever take the time to get to know them, you’ll understand why and rate them high.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends