Pop/Punk Rock - Aussie style!
sonya k. parks | Upper Marlboro, Md United States | 01/11/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When I first heard of Ratcat, it was when my friend picked up the cassette of the 6-song demo recording, "Tingles." We listenend to it and the songs stuck with me ever since ( even though the cassette did not). A few years later and a little internet-smarter i decided to pick up the disc of the demo and Ratcat's first full length attempt, " Blind Love".
Ok. This disc is good - sure, you may not like every song on the album but i think it's a rare deal these days when you do. My particular favorites are " That 'aint bad" ( the band's only entry into US charts - a Ramones-esque ditty and obviously the most radio-friendly of the entire cd.), " My Bloody Valentine" and "The End". The latter two's whispering vocals are very nice touches and a haunting step away from the catchy loops and riffs that power songs such as " Skin" and " Strange". I also particularly enjoy " Getting away from this world" although i must admit to getting a little choked up each time i hear the US Challenger commentary that borders it.
All in all - I do like this band a lot and it makes me wonder what a band has to possess when Blink 182, Weezer, Green Day ( Bands I also do like!) can cut through the clutter and bands with equally as much talent like Ratcat get left behind. Give it a try - it won't disappoint - and what a bargain of a price too!!! :)"
The Epitome of Aussie Fuzz Pop.
Clayton Webster | 01/04/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Both the Tingles e.p. and Blind Love album are excellent in every way. Their really catchy tunes, at first listen might seem so catchy that they'd grow tired after a few listens, but 10 years on they still hold a special place in my music collection. Simon Day seems to have the knack of writing a timeless pop tune with sincere lyrics that, even when bordering on saccharine sweet, don't fatigue with age. Tingles 6 track e.p. precedes Blind Love on this re-released version. It ranges from the fast and fuzzy "Skin" (my favorite - and I assume, the inspiration for the title Blind Love) to the slow and morbid "My Bloody Valentine" and contained their breakthrough lead track "That Ain't Bad" which go the most airplay, and took them to No 1 on the Australian Charts.Blind Love, whilst being instantly likable contains the arguably Beach Boys influenced "Yes I Wanna Go" , and the appropriately titled "Strange" with it's experimental back-masking of some parts, with Simon's vocals mixed in a David Lynch-esque fashion. "The End" is a beautiful mellow finisher which makes it a good album to listen to whilst drifting off to sleep.If this collection has a drawback, it's the track sequence (and that's being really picky.) Due to the fact that "That Ain't Bad" appears on both Tingles, and Blind Love, it obviously only occurs once on this "compilation" as track one, as it first appeared on the Tingles e.p, which was a little distracting. But, hey, what else were they gonna do! Collectively this is one of those special albums where after a couple of listens I'm not tempted to skip one single track.(If you like this one - also check out the Hummingbirds album "Love Buzz" and Ratcat's other efforts "This Nightmare" and "Inside Out" if you can find them.)"
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1