Bleach
Bleach
Reviewed by David M. Pogge
If you are like me and the name Bleach conjures up nightmares of pizza party youth groups that mosh at Carman concerts and think that DC Talk is definite hard rock, do yourself a favor and get over it. In their third attempt, Bleach surpass both previous releases with luscious pop melodies and straight-forward, uplifting lyrics about a loving God that hopefully each of us knows. The only downside to this album is the production. When you take a young band that knows how to rock and put them in a studio with your average Nashville / CCM producer, the result is less than spectacular. Any attempt the guys make to truly rock out is viciously processed away into smelly ricotta cheese. At least it's good cheese. That's why I prefer the acoustic cuts; not because I'm a yuppie, but because there's not as much the producer can do to ruin it. Bleach need to pull out of the Nashville sludge and get a producer that will do them justice. Overall, this is a great album, with insanely catchy songs and moving ballads that will bring tears to your eyes time and time again. The songwriting is top notch, the guitar work is excellent, and the vocals have far surpassed anything they have done to date. This disc could quite possibly end up in my personal collection, but don't tell anyone; it might ruin my anti-corporate image.