It's been interesting to watch 20/20 Blind evolve in the last two years I've known about 'em. This debut album, Never Far, which has taken about six months to complete, has an interesting appeal that doesn't take immediate hold on the first listen. After that first listen, I didn't want to give this album the time of day. This changes, though, once I dug in and listened.
The band is obviously influenced by the progressive sounds of bands like Queensryche, who still believe that quality musicianship and good melody makes for good songs. The production job takes some of the progressive edge and polishes it down a bit. This is one of those things that's easy to notice on a casual listen. It's that closer look that lets you hear, "Oh yeah, that is good musicianship!" One good example is the great song dynamics in "Soul Song." The bridge section 1:30 into the song changes moods well, and it gives vocalist Wallace Chase a chance to show off his fine set of pipes.
One of the shocks that may hit some older fans upside the head is the presence of A/C radio-ready tunes like "Love Keeps Reaching" (a song doctor number); the title track, which packs an acoustic punch and a promise; and "Only Hope." The thing that helps songs like these not lose the interest of a hard rocker is the personal and thoughtful lyrics. The simplicity in a song like "Only Hope" is a perfect example: "When the storm is all around/And you think you're going to drown/You know your only hope is in Jesus."
That's only one side of the band, though, as you could guess. Tunes like "Sleepyland" carry a biting guitar riff a la Scorpions or Dokken; and the cool tone achieved with double guitar chords in the lead-off track show the band's "at home" identity of progressive rock. Again, the best example of the band's influence is "Soul Song," which has an ethereal, Def Leppard-like intro, a melancholy rhythm, and poetic lyrics that make the listener complete the thought. Nice package! "Do I" is a good heavy melodic tune, that would be a nice introductory choice for rock/metal radio; but then there's "Show Each Other Love" and "Easier Way" too... (There's probably a long radio life for this album.) "Easier Way" shows one of the few weaknesses of the album as well: the vocal delivery in each chorus sounds too strong and too high. The guitar solo reminds you again, though, that there are two fine guitarists in this band.
20/20 Blind will have a wide appeal, from the follower of White Heart to the lover of Guardian to the fan of Sacred Warrior; and one piece of advice - give this album a chance with headphones.