| Although the alt-rock sweetheart Blair Gimma (known simply as "Blair") is
happily settled in Brooklyn at the moment, her first full-length album has done
some interstate travel. Written and recorded over the last five years, Die Young
combines the best elements from the earthy 20-something's time traipsing around
L.A.'s artsy Silver Lake and Echo Park neighborhoods with the tail-end of a
musically varied adolescence in her jazz and blues-saturated hometown of New
Orleans. The album's storm of angry titles belies a sweetened pass through
'90s-era garage daydreams with tickled electronic twists - meanwhile Blair
carves a distinct path with edgy vocals and headstrong guitar.
Die Young is undoubtedly catchy - it's impossible to listen through the album
without getting at least one of the 12 indie-pop tracks stuck in one's head -
but, in most cases, even the simplest lyrics and bounciest synth melody get a
shot of bluesy guitar and Blair's beautifully anguished vocals. The descending
notes and double-time tambourine at the chorus of album single, "Hello Halo,"
are irresistible, as are the muffled hits of cowbell, semi-aggro vocals and
bristled rhythm guitar of first track, "Rampage." Flip to bittersweet, Rilo
Kiley-reminiscent "Candy in the Kitchen" and bounce along to a poignant account
of childhoods alone with Whitney Houston playing on the kitchen stereo.
Blair takes a slower turn on the beautiful "Die Young" and distilled "So
That's It"; "Heart" finds her singing, "My heart yearns and my heart aches" with
such sincerity that it's hard to remember that she was nearly shout-singing a
few tracks prior. Jenny Lewis, watch out! (Autumn Tone)
http://www.myspace.com/musicblair | 
