Album Review :: Late Bloomer :: Late Bloomer

Written by: Andrea Janov, CC2K Music Editor

I was torn on whether or not to review this album. From the first listen I knew that it was something awesome and unique that alternative audiences will love, but I didn’t know if I could do it justice. I must admit that I have not listened to alternative music since the 90s. Once I heard punk, there was no going back.

Anyway, I thought that not reviewing this album would be a disservice to both the band and my readers who wouldn’t hear these guys any other way. Late Bloomer’s self-titled debut album is an alternative, experimental, rock record that has no constraints. Through the distortion and the great bass lines and the super unique layered vocals, the main element that grabs the listener is their attitude. These guys are playing and recording these songs because they love it, they would be doing the same thing even if no one listened. But, because these songs are damned good, there will be plenty of people listening.

Each of the three band members writes and sings allowing for a varying sound on each track, yet the whole album fits together perfectly. On this album the band allows itself the freedom to go from the slight absurd to the touching. The first track, Reality, kicks off the album and grabs everyone’s attention. Precious Moments is one of the slightly absurd tracks, that has killer bass lines. When picking out a favorite track I cannot decided between White Lines and Wherever. White Lines is catchy upbeat and a bit twangy while Wherever begins slow and evolves as the track progresses.

Late Bloomer’s sound fits well with the 80s and 90s bands that gave birth to grunge. Those bands that were experimental and gritty – The Meat Puppets, Dinosaur Jr., The Melvins, The Butthole Surfers – the bands who are grouped together not because their sounds are similar, but because their attitude towards music was cohesive. 

Late Bloomer’s Late Bloomer is out now on Self Aware Records.