Published on Jan 9, 2001
One listen to New York-based Blush 66, and you might find
yourself saying out loud, “These guys sound like someone else I’ve
heard before… but who?”
It took several listens to their five-song EP
Domecstasy for me to pin it down… and I’m still not
convinced I have the lineage perfect. But This five-piece pop-rock
band sounds like a cross between Alanis Morissette and No Doubt –
and the end result is pleasant, but nothing spectacular.
Led by vocalist Laura Jean, Blush 66 has a bit of an electronica
sound to their music while keeping both a pop sensibility about
them (“Understand,” “Velvet”) and just a slight hint of shock value
(“After All This Time”). The core of the band – guitarist Anthony
Plank, bassist Joey Monteverde and keyboardist Eddie Plank – are
competent enough, but one finds themself wishing that someone would
burst forth with something spectacular. As for drummer Arthur
Adams, the only criticism is that it sounds like his drumming is
synthesized. Sorry, but I’m a purist when it comes to drums.
Domecstasy might mirror the sounds of a famous artist or
two, but don’t let that fool you. The band does put its own unique
stamp on the music – though their style is still very much in
development, and hasn’t grown into its own yet. Given a little more
time and polish, Blush 66 could well be a band to deal with in the
crowded adult-contemporary or AOR field. They’re just not there
yet… though that’s not meant to be a criticism against the
group.
Domecstasy is an interesting portrait of a group in
development, and one wonders what Blush 66 will do with the
knowledge they gained with this disc.