Artist: Blow Up Hollywood
Title: Fake
Genre: Alternative Rock-Pop
Label: Independent
Website
Release Date: June 25, 2004

I was duly impressed with the self-titled debut of Blow Up Hollywood in 2002 and now two years later they have returned with another outstanding album. The exceptional musicians involved with this project intend to remain anonymous, thereby dispelling the image of the egotistical rock star right out of the gate. Besides, these men are not looking to become stars, they are out to show the world that they are talented artisans with a viable musical medium and intend to be an example, showing how it's done the independent way without any major label backing. They do it with startling success, putting them in a category all by themselves.

Fake is a departure from the previous album in many ways. Gone, well not completely, is the all-encompassing concept of death, instead many different subjects are their focus. This album shows once again that these unidentified musicians have their chops down and they prove it out with engaging alternative-rock-pop songs. If you look at the track titles, you can see that this is very serious and affecting music. "Born," "Darkness" and "White Walls" sting with the words and identify with with the music; it is a process of give and take, forming an ideal balance between the two elements.

Once again, Blow Up Hollywood captured my imagination with thought provoking soundscapes and wove an intelligent provocative story within their music. Intellectual music for everyone, how many bands are making music like that?

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-www.muzikreviews.com

May 22, 2004

Rating-9/10

1. Born - (7:41)
2. Fake - (4:12)
3. Just Before Dawn - (3:00)
4. Nde - (5:26)
5. Darkness Falls - (2:22)
6. Oceans - (4.06)
7. Rise - (1:48)
8. White Walls - (5.20)
9. Being There - (4:33)
10. Dmk - (3.43)