As the world moves closer and closer to chaos and disarray, Blood’s new EP entitled Why Wait Till ‘55, We Might Not Even Be Alive has the energy to match it. The group meanders through genres as a bundle of nomads looking for the brighter future that they know exist. From dense permeating tension to bare-bone melodic release to swift electric motion, the band seems to drive forward as one entity. Blood strikes the equilibrium between the harsh distortion of a rock band and the glistening horns and dynamics of a big jazz band, tranquil 7th chords and exploding drums, and the poetically vulnerable lyrics of a seasoned folk songwriter and the manic screaming delivery of a post-punk ruffian.
Recorded by Erik Wofford at Cacophony Recorders, the four track EP opens with “Intro”, which is not only the perfect preface to the EP, but to the band as a whole. It’s a slow-building descent into madness with layered, unravelling instrumentation paired with cryptic, culturally relevant lyrics reflecting criticisms of masculinity and class struggle. Tracks two and three each display one half of the group’s aptly self-described genre of “jazz-punk”, “Primitive Priest” being the high energy punk and “Genesis” being the more laid back jazz. The closer “Progeny of the Agency” is the longest track and only leaves the listener wanting more.
The band originated from frontman Tim O’Brien, who fairly quickly was able to amass his team of cohorts. The current lineup consists of bassist Nino Soberon, drummer Tyler Wolff, trumpeter Zach Malett, keyboardist Caleb Parker, guitarist brothers Ben and Julian McCamman-McGinnis, and O’Brien on lead vocals. After a couple of years of local shows, an east coast tour, and opening for some of punk’s biggest names, Blood’s debut surges forward, maintaining their position as one of Austin’s coolest bands.
-Hayden Steckel