Blake Collins’ debut EP: a new talent with a Lennon sound and good potential
by Patrick O’Heffernan Host, Music FridayLive!
Even at his young age, Blake Collins is a renaissance man: painting, collage, drawing, poetry, and of course, music. A young, multi-talented artist with boyish good looks and a degree in fine art from UCLA, he is very busy. He has released his first EP, A Bell Locks In, and is working on a second EP and a full length album while he produces for others and plays bass, keyboard and guitar for three other bands. He also designed and produced the artwork for A Bell Locks In.
Recorded in a home studio, the EP shows his strong potential as a songwriter and singer, although the sound is little homemade. A more dynamic microphone or a soundproofed studio would have nailed the production as professional. But, as it is – which is certainly not bad – Blake’s first venture is well worth trying out and he is an artist to watch.
By far my favorite on the 5 song EP is “Mystery Girl”, a paean to the girl he loves sung with a strong hint of Beatles style and a voice that is very reminiscent of John Lennon. He carries the lyrics deftly and happily along with a current of piano, guitar and keyboard notes in a expertly executed pop arrangement. The combination is larger the sum of the parts; it becomes an intelligent earworm.
The EP opener, “Mia My Only” is just plain happy. With a vigorous tip of the hat to Magical Mystery Tour, Blake has crafted a song that serves as a great soundtrack for a bike ride, a hike, a sunny day. Nothing serious here, just fun, but perfectly crafted fun.
“Anticipating Loving You Again” weaves rhythm guitar, keyboard, and a rough-sounding and great whistling Blake into a retro-sounding pop song that puts a smile on your face and a tap in your toe. The same is true for “It’s Summer Time” – a song with a smile, carried by a ukulele and made even sunnier with multi-tracking Blake’s voice so it sounds like his friends have joined in.
Buried in the middle of the album is “Zoe” a song that contrasts in some ways to the rest of album and I think is strongest hint of his potential. The recording quality is either accidently or purposely a lower quality, making Blake’s voice more echoing and even closer to Lennon’s. Combine with the piano-led instrumentation, it is almost melancholy, but stays in the pop ballad territory. The combination is brilliant – innovative, listenable, radio-ready.
A Bell Locks In is a good first release and worth buying. It demonstrates Blake’s potential and will work well into a daily playlist. A live performance I attended showed Blake’s growth since the album, his voice maturing into more its own with less of John Lennon. Blake Collins is a talent to watch; as he gets his legs I think we will see some stunning work from him.
Patrick O’Heffernan
Host, Music FridayLive!
A Bell Locks In by Blake Collins
iTunes, Bandcamp, Soundcloud
3/5
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