There’s much to say about a band that puts their entire catalog of music online for FREE download. Yes, you heard me right and did NOT hear me wrong.
New York’s own Dead Heart Bloom has put their entire catalog on their website for you to not only preview, but download for free. Personally, I would pay them respect and purchase their records, and hopefully by the end of this article, you’ll be compelled to do the same.
Dead Heart Bloom was formed by Boris Skalsky in 2005 after the break up of his previous band, Phaser. The new project started off as a one-man band for Skalsky, but has since grown into a full band that consists of guitarist Paul Wood (also formerly of Phaser), bassist Nathan Goheen, and drummer John Hadfield.
To me, Skalsky remains the head Dead Heart Bloomer, though, as it was his vision and determination that got the band off the ground with the 2006 self-titled release. This thirteen track collection grabbed me with it’s unique songwriting, coupled with some stellar instrumental production. Skalsky ran the gamut of styles, ranging from acoustic to techo/industrial. It’s really a great listen, and definitely sets the stage for what’s to come. In 2007, DHB followed up with the acoustic Chelsea Diaries
, which continued to explore Skalsky’s ever changing musical moods.
To give you an idea of DHB’s direction, here’s a video of them, covering Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.”
VERY cool. I’ve never heard the song done this way. VERY cool. The studio version of this cover can be found on their debut record. In the Dig-It section below, I’ve posted “Letter to the World,” one of my favorite tracks from the same record.
Both of these first two albums are excellent places to start, but to me, I think Skalsky’s finest work to date came in 2008, when he reunited with ex-Phaser guitarist Paul Wood. The ever growing DHB released three EP’s that all explore a different musical style. They are all absolutely riveting to listen to, and all worth picking up without hesitation.
The last of the EP trilogy, In Chains, was released on December 30, 2008, and contains one of the most gorgeous songs to come out of the year, “Flash in a Bottle.”
I highly recommend taking a listen to this song RIGHT NOW in the Dig-It section below. If you’ve got headphones, put them on. If you don’t have headphones, turn it up. If you have neighbors, don’t worry because they’ll love it, too.
Each EP carries the weight of the rest, though. From the alternative rock sounds of Fall in to the loud, distorted, painful songs of Oh Mercy
, DHB takes the listener on quite a ride. Oh Mercy
is perhaps the most tortured of the lot. I’ve found myself playing this collection the most… I wonder what that says about me? The lone trumpet solo in the closing song, “Hymn,” KILLS me.
I’ve posted “Blues 3,” an absolutely disturbing track off of Oh Mercy, for you to check out. The guitar tone alone is something to marvel at here, but the lyrics are what hits me the hardest. I get chills when Skalsky sings the lines, “You make me suffer like nobody else / You make it hard for me to love myself.”
He then goes on to sing this about the object of his adoration:
Well, that just makes me want you more
I’m not sure if these are some words you’d want to say to your significant other, but they really work in this song.
The progression of the songs on the Oh Mercy EP reminds me of that feeling you get when you lose the one you love… you search repeatedly for someone or something to ease your pain… in the end, you’ll blindly follow ANYTHING that will end your suffering. I can’t seem to get enough of this EP.
In a 2006 interview for Under the Radar, Skalsky stated that, ” I’m trying not to spend a lot of time worrying about wealth and fame or respect of my peers—my sole worry is that the music be good, and I assume that all else will follow. History will be the ultimate judge—I hope my music will survive, and be timeless, and be remembered.”
I think he’s on the right path, for sure. Dead Heart Bloom covers a lot of ground instrumentally, but never seems to sacrifice the song for the sound. I could go on and on about them, but I won’t because in the end, it’s the music that matters. Go take a listen below, and make sure you check out their website to preview all their records. Make sure you set aside a good chunk of time, though, as you’ll probably end up listening to them all.
Pick it up, dig it, share it, see a show, spread the word…
DeadHeartBloom.com
Dead Heart Bloom on MySpace
Dead Heart Bloom on Facebook
Dead Heart Bloom on iTunes
Dead Heart Bloom Store (physical CDs)
Your Dig-It Downloads: (right click on link to download)
Download: Flash in a Bottle
Download: Blues 3
Download: Letter to the World
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