There was a lot of great bands that just fell through the cracks in the late ‘80s and especially the early ‘90s due to the musical climate change. BLIND DATE was one of those bands that should have had a big impact in the melodic hard rock scene.
BLIND DATE finally released their self-titled debut in 2004 via Perris Records including 3 tracks the group recorded in 1990 for shopping labels, and 7 others completed for this release as most band members remained friends and occasionally doing gigs. This self-titled “Blind Date” is out of print now, requested here by a plotn08 visitor.
Blind Date formed in Texas in 1988, were voted best metal / hard rock band in San Antonio in 1989, and their short-lived career saw them tour with the likes of Vixen, Lynch Mob, Dangerous Toys and Helix.
The entire tale of why they never ‘made it’ is probably out there somewhere, but Perris Records picked up the band in 2004 and released these wonderful collection of songs with all that late Eighties magic.”Blind Date” is a pure, heavenly US Melodic Rock album, much in the vein of say, Ted Poley-fronted DANGER DANGER, WHITE LION, TRIXTER, WARRANT.
This is one album that simply oozes with big harmonies, tasty licks, blazing solos and melodies – songwriting with nothing to envy in quality to the aforementioned bands.
The CD begins with “I Don’t Wait Up”, a contagious melodic rocker where the vocal melodies, both lead and backup, are stellar. This is obviously the band’s greatest strength; harmony vocals – just check the personnel – all members performs backing vocals. The guitar solo is fast and crisp, and after that, the multi-part harmony vocal arrangement is great. This song should have been a major hit back in a day.
What follows is a succession of absolute Melodic Rock crackers with some AOR touches, to name a few; the immense summertime feel good vibe of “Can You Feel It”, the keyboard infused DOKKEN-esque “Broken Promises” or the smouldering midtempo AOR of “Dreaming”.
Bands of this ilk excel at something bereft of today’s music — the power ballad. “She’s Walking” is perfect and will leave you singing for days after a single listen. “We Keep Falling In Love” is a song WHITE LION should have recorded in 1988. The singer sounds like MIKE TRAMP in parts here, and the chorus is once again catchy and the background vocals shine.
BLIND DATE offer here a collection of awesomely hook-filled / tuneful collection of songs. Ten tracks of pure US Melodic Hard bliss sporting all the elements that made the genre exciting, colorful and fun during the golden days – in this genre “Blind Date” is a really good album from start to finish.
This band is much more than ‘another one that didn’t make it’ demos: their quality is superior than the regular, those tracks are professionally recorded & produced.
Fans of this genre, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist:
01. Don't Wait Up
02. Can You Feel It
03. She's Walking
04. Daddy's Little Girl
05. Broken Promises
06. Everybody's Baby
07. We Keep Falling In Love
08. Dreaming
09. Without Your Love
10. When I'm Alone
Blind Date – Blind Date (2004) [Perris Records CD release], MP3+FLAC
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