Unfortunately, this band recently broke up, but in their wake, they left one heck of a full-length on the always stellar label, Fueled By Ramen. The degree of progression between this band’ first full-length (on Soda Jerk Records), which was released two years ago and “These Liquid Lungs” is beyond tremendous. This band welded the soul of a needy indierock band with the attitude and prowess of a group of flipped off punks. Perhaps the biggest draw is how dark this album sounds without coming off as forced. CADILLAC BLINDSIDE played with no abandon, and songs like “Straight-jacket Weather,” and “Empty Bottle Evening” drip with sincerity and pain. Although comparisons to AT THE DRIVE-IN are overused, these guys worked within the same kind boundaries – off kilter rock devoid of formula, but overloaded with intensity and hooky enough to sing along to. And therein lies the charm of this release in that it’s fully approachable by anyone interested in rockin’ music that’s not your standard fare of punk rock or hardcore – no pretentions, no hidden meanings. CADILLAC BLINDSIDE are surely a band that I will miss – check “These Liquid Lungs” out and then mourn their demise as well.

Fueled By Ramen

www.fueledbyramen.com