“BLENDING THE PAST AND FUTURE: A REVIEW OF ‘THE WASTREL ALBUM’ BY CHRIS BLADES

‘The wastrel‘ is boldly independent, unique and  a breath of fresh air in a world where music typically follows a path walked on by many people. This album takes us on a journey through time, combining elements from the past and the future into a sound  that’s both innovative and strangely familiar. This Album, produced by Christo Graham and featuring the multi-talented Chris Blades, contains refined harmonies and a wide range of musical influences, making it a must-see live performance for all ages.

The band’s lineup demonstrates their musical ability. Chris Blades, the album’s main singer and 12-string electric guitar virtuoso, along with Cameron Reed on acoustic and electric guitars, Chelsea Preston on bass, Gaby Grice on keyboards, Annelise Lus on autoharp and melodica, and Moon on drums, made the album’s complex layers of sound. Each member of the band contributes a voice to the outstanding backing vocals, resulting in rich and layered harmonies. The history of this band is as fascinating as their music. These musicians met through their common passion for music that goes beyond boundaries. They were regular performers at Toronto’s iconic Grapefruit Moon Open Mic.

‘The wastrel‘ is inspired by several musical icons, including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Harry Nilsson, and others. The band’s journey to this album included a sold-out first gig at Toronto’s Dakota Tavern and a spot on the organized radio show Corby’s Orbit, which allowed them to showcase their ability to a wider audience. What’s particularly remarkable is how the album was created through terrible times. It was written in two weeks during the Omicron downtime and recorded in five days. “The Place Where You Begin,” the album’s title track, has already received praise, with one listener saying, “Album sounds so good!”.

Track One seems to be ma favorite, where the track talks about how you spend time in solitude, and frustrations overwhelming your mind. Can you return to that carefree space?Or are you too distant to embrace it? All those solitary moments won’t last,But you can improve, my dear friend,If you journey back to where it all began.And when you start reflecting on the hours spent alone,It feels so wrong but hey. All those hours, they won’t rewind,But you can be better, keep that in mind,If you find your way back to the start,A chance for healing, and a change of heart. Just look at those lyrics.

Reaching out, you ran far and wide,Seeking solace, on a long, lonely ride.The Lord knows your burdens, your pain,It’s time for a change, break free from the chain.Never feel the need to hold back a tear.You’re not alone, you’re held in kind,In these strange times, peace you’ll find.At least you had fun, let the past mend,As you return to where you begin again.Back to the place where you begin.

The album’s concept looks into issues of loneliness, alienation, and the fear of artistic burnout. The idea of feeling like a glorified failure is a fear Chris Blades wanted to name and confront through his music. As if recording the album wasn’t challenging enough, it was done at a remote farmhouse in Lansdowne, Ontario, during a severe Canadian winter. Even fighting illness added to the challenges the Chris and the band went through in making the album.

https://on.soundcloud.com/EWWW821Tt8NH7uBV6

One band member stated, “I don’t mean to toot our own horn, but we’re basically like the Beatles, but if they were a good band.” With ‘The wastrel,’ this band has created a really unique musical masterpiece that will leave listeners mesmerized and wanting more.  For more information about this spectacular band, check out the links below

http://www.tiktok.com/@chris.blades

https://www.instagram.com/christophblades/

https://chrisblades.bandcamp.com/album/the-wastrel

https://open.spotify.com/artist/79FCnxymMGA3jpej8Jluq6?si=wHPKpQn3QV6aJ_6EUM6xtw