The Blonde Alibi Just Tell Me Who It Was (2005) self-released

One thing that I can always appreciate, even without necessarily liking the music, is a good DIY effort. I have a lot of respect for bands that, without label backing, record, put out, and market their own releases. No, it doesn’t always work, but it still does show that the passion and drive to make your music known was there, and that can make all the difference.

The Blonde Alibi are one such DIY band. Putting out their five-song EP Just Tell Me Who It Was with no backing whatsoever, the Chicago four-piece have offered some invigorating and dynamic post-hardcore. Without treading any new water, the Blonde Alibi are able to craft five air-tight songs that really leave no room for complaints.

It starts with the vocals. I cannot for the life of me put a finger on just who singer Brendan Burchel reminds me of, but he does bear an uncanny resemblance to another well-known punk frontman. Regardless, his shouting delivery gives each song the boost it needs to get off the ground, and during the course of a given song, provides a lot of the dynamics it needs to really keep things interesting. Be it a simple change in inflection, or a change in volume, that small alteration, coupled with the always back-and-forth riffing provides some very interesting moments.

The song lengths show a solid variety as well, anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes, with the constantly changing structures providing everything needed for either the brevity, or length of the song. “Stick in the Mud” is a rousing two minutes, complete with dual shouting vocals and hard-hitting chord progressions to carry it through the duration. “Where Is My Holy Ghost?” is a slower, more deliberate song, but at the same time, it’s much more explosive. You can’t be lulled into a false sense of quiet for very long, because even during the occasional melodic interlude, the potential is always there for a quick flash and then an outright explosion. “...Holy Ghost” showcases just that, as the song does break for some quieter guitar work, and a sample, until the repetitive drum splashes lead way for some towering riffs and passionate vocals to splash back down.

Full of passion and intensity, with a dynamic way to present it, the Blonde Alibi are a band you’d be wise to keep a look out for. Recently signed by Underground Communiqué, be watching for a full-length from this extremely talented outfit sometime soon.

(Anchors)