Blackbud - Blackbud

(AU magazine, May 2009)
Hailing from the dark centre of rawk - Wiltshire - Blackbud's sophomore release is proof positive that there are bright young things out there, hard at work in the name of good music. Deliciously melodic 'Left Your Arms Empty' opens with a striking male vocal, building to a sweeping finish which speaks of a more mature band. Through rockier 'Love Comes So Easy' to nigh-on prog 'Outside Looking In', Blackbud routinely claim their musical stripes. The record is rife with influence - Led Zeppelin and the Stones on the guitar, Ryan Adams and Jeff Buckley on the vocals - but they do not sacrifice their fresh, youthful exuberance in paying their respects. On the strength of this release, Blackbud are definitely in bloom.