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Eddie Blue [download]
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Over two days in summer 2010 The B-Sharps laid down The "B" is for Party, their second album. The new title represents the five members' celebratory attitude in the face of the Fort Wayne band's uncertain future. "There was a point where undoubtedly all five of us shared the same number one goal in life of 'making it.'" says bassist and songwriter Nick Allison. "The future may have the five of us moving in different directions, but we all remain the best of friends, in some instances it's like we're literally brothers."
The Sharps' line-up remains unchanged: Keef Owen on vocals, Mitch Frazier on lead guitar, Timmy Oberley on rhythm guitar, and literal brothers Alex and Nick Allison on drums and bass respectively. If any of them are moving in different directions, neither the explosive Allison rhythm section nor the battling guitars of Frazier and Oberley reveal hint of secession, and each piece of the quintet's sound remains as essential as it did on their debut. "The band has grown up," says Nick. "We started as a bunch of twelve year olds who loved rock and roll and were more interested in nailing 'My Generation' than joining the football team. We literally grew up together and have shared the most memorable moments of our youths alongside one another."
The party theme continues through the lyrics and music, which despite the majority being credited to Nick Allison, are more diverse than Cherchez, such as the experiment with country sounds on "(Timmy Has Fallen) Down the Well." The Sharps may have traded the garage for a studio this time, but the extra polish only compliments the respect and professionalism with which the Sharps tackle their vintage-touched material. "The songs differ greatly from Cherchez," says Nick, "which, though I'm not sure anyone noticed, dealt a lot with depression and loneliness. While writing the songs for this album, I was just bored with that shit." Nick points toward "Eddie Blue" and "Is This Seat Taken?" (with its handclaps and loopy lead guitar) as songs which sum up the sentiment behind Party and which were unlikely to have made the cut for Cherchez.
"We obviously don't completely avoid serious issues," Nick adds. "Such as '(Timmy has Fallen) Down the Well,' which he wrote about his alcoholism while living in a court appointed half way house." Even with such heavy lyrics, The B-Sharps sound as joyful as ever; it's hard to believe the party could end here.