Better Off Without, the new one from London’s Blockade, proves to be a wonderful crucible of sounds, a strange yet satisfying blend of music. Obviously, the band has one foot in the rock camp, as demonstrated by their abrasive guitars, volume, and velocity, but if that was all they were about, they would be just another okay band on the rock horizon.
By weaving in indie accessibility, an almost Brit-pop anthemic vibe (not the Brit-pop we got, but the one that we deserved), and lashings of pop infectiousness, they remind us that rock music might still be fit for purpose, but it is the sonic hues and accessories that you employ in their musical makeover that set you apart from the pack of bombastic and blokey rock also-rans.
