Blackbird

AMG Review of Blackbird

Ned Raggett
All Music Guide

The first major-label-connected Blackbird album also turned out to be the band's last one before the Kinman brothers once again transformed into a new band and sound some years later, the rootsy country of Cowboy Nation. As a perhaps unintentional farewell, though, it's a fine enough effort; the band's blending of Jesus and Mary Chain-into-shoegaze guitar arrangements, drum machines, and a certain cool in both the lead singing and harmonies connecting more often than not. More than once, the Kinmans take a bow to the past, not too surprising considering their open regard for their heroes. Besides covering Little Richard's classic "Lucille," giving it a slightly slower, relaxed pace and a nice, reverb-heavy version of the main guitar line, they redo their old Dils anthem "Class War," though its lyrical bite is sabotaged by an unexpectedly flat if not cheesy instrumental performance. More unexpected though also much more successful are two re-recorded versions of songs from the group's previous album, the surging anthem "Howl" and the charging shimmer, at once lovely and warning, thanks to its cautionary lyrics, of "Quicksand." For all the rootsy touches and backward glancing, though, Blackbird here comes into its own as a very modern rock group, with sass, sex, and spryness intact. "Be My Friend" is a good example, with a strong pop hook at the center, fine harmony vocals, and strong guitar work that, at points, calls to mind a more direct Robin Guthrie. When it comes to a slow, moody, but still uplifting emotional kickstart, "Let It Go" is practically flawless, with some flat out lovely guitar and sharply written lyrics. Add in other strong points as "Am I Killing You" and the ending "Sheliminator," and the result is an album worth hunting down even by non-hardcore Kinman fans.