REVIEW: Blue Flannel, XL (Universal)
- Linda Scott
Blue Flannel's debut album, XL, shows such promise that the recommendation from here is that you go out and purchase a copy. There are some minor problems, but it's a debut album that just needs a little more polish and a little more production help. The core of talent and the band's approach is something special. If you're from the Southeast US, you've probably seen them already.
Blue Flannel is a four-piece band from Georgia fronted by lead singer, guitarist, lyricist Derek Coile. Coile and drummer pal Eric Talbott started the band and added bassist John Barry and guitarist David Montgomery. The name Blue Flannel is a laugh at the grunge movement. Just so you understand their feelings, the CD booklet says "We Are Not Alternative!".
The band plays in a real mixture of styles from rock to folk-rock to funk to punk with influences from Prince, Michael Jackson to the Sex Pistols. Blue Flannel says they are playing to have fun so they try all these styles and seem to do them all well. Most of the lyrics are playful or just outright funny, but there is another set of songs about relationships breaking down, and Coile wrote these when he faced that in his own life. The more lighthearted ones must be from when he was on the mend. Blue Flannel took these songs and some cover tunes and toured the Southeast US steadily where they attracted the attention of Universal.
The songs are an eclectic mix starting with a short classical piece interrupted by "Unfair Comparison", a song with rock and a punk jam and some clever pop lyrics. Other good rockers are "You Bore Me" and "Sleepy Boy". The sad ballads, such as "I Can't Stand Losing You" (not the Police Song) are stuck in here and there.
The best songs here are "Havin' A Bad Day" and "Kill Me". "Havin' A Bad Day" is the first single, and Coile sings about how he hates everyone when he's having a bad day....short people, tall people, my boss and barbecue sauce. Silly, but easy to identify with. The star of the album is "Kill Me" with the most polished lyrics, vocals, and music. It's funky with harmonica and guitar providing the power behind Coile's excellent lyrics. "Kill Me" sets up this wonderful funk vibe which should have ended the album, but instead "Not My Type", another doleful ballad follows.
Small problems, but XL is one for the holiday wish list.
