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The Blue Poets bring together 1970s classic rock, modern alternative rock, and blues in their self-titled album.

Music Review: The Blue Poets – ‘The Blue Poets’

The Blue Poets 'The Blue Poets'Hamburg (Germany) blues rockers The Blue Poets released in September 2016 an 11-track self-titled album. Members Marcus Deml (guitar), Gordon Grey (vocals), Felix Dehmel (drums), and Phil Steen (bass) have created a familiar sound that brings together flavours from the 1970s classic rock scene, a distinct dash of more modern alternative rock, and a big dollop of blues.

The vocals are very compelling, as they need to be to create the necessary ambiance in emotion-heavy blues songs, while the musicianship remains consistently high quality, be it the way each instrument is separately played or the way they constantly interact with each other without any obvious hiccups. The album remains relatable throughout as the band touches on topics such as relationships, pain, loss, and joy—all part of our daily lives.

In a comforting kind of way, the tracks have a lot in common. But they remain different enough that they stand out one from the other if listeners pay close attention to them. While clocking in at a little over five minutes, “Goodbye” is catchy enough that it doesn’t feel like it is dragging on. An electric guitar drives the energetic midtempo melody and delves into a catchy solo around the three-quarter mark. Heads will bob and some toes will even tap along throughout.

“Too High” and “Sad, Sad, Sad” have many of the same elements and are even catchier than other numbers in this set. While quieter, “Alien Angel” remains suffused with energy, albeit a soothing quieter kind. Similarly, “With Your Eyes” is calmer compared to the other tracks on The Blue Poets. Its appeal lies in a couple of things. One is the sparse beginning that builds up layer upon layer. Another is the vocals which listeners can, because of the initial sparseness, appreciate all the more how emotion-laden they are. The way the guitar seems to wrap itself around the vocals, almost like backing vocals, adds further depth to the song.

Videos are available on the band’s YouTube channel. More information about the band and its music is available on their Facebook page.

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