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ANDRE ETHIER – On Blue Fog

Blue Fog

The brains behind The Deadly Snakes steps into the solo spotlight. On Blue Fog is Andre Ethier’s third solo release and his first since the official breakup of his former band The Deadly Snakes. All of the easy criticisms of his 2006 album Secondathallam remain the same here. Ethier’s Dylan-aping vocal delivery is unchanged for the most part and the production value can be generously ranked as questionable. What his critics fail to realize though is that this is all by design which should be more apparent this time around thanks to more complex arrangements and Ethier fully realizing the potential of his raspy singing voice. “Never Grow Tired of Me” is a particular highlight here. With two different musicians credited as percussionists the song has a predictably forceful beat complemented by Ethier’s most aggressive singing to date — he nearly approaches a full-throated yell before reeling himself back in to his laid-back attitude. He also broadens his horizons with the folk jam “On Lies” complete with an extended sax solo and the six-minute “Pride of Egypt” which is at best vaguely political but completely stunning. On Blue Fog is tattered and under-produced but minimalism suits this new-age folkster as comfortably as his well-worn scarves. This is one of the rare cases where less truly is more because any further polish would likely put Ethier totally out of his element.

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