Blank
Heronomous

Submitted by Karl Larson

Retroactive Records, December 2005 (Talking Music 2004)
Style: Modern Rock
Website: www.blankmusic.net
Rating: 3/5
For fans of Coldplay and U2

Sweden seems to just keep churning out more and more up and coming bands, and Blank is no exception. Hailing from Jönköping, Sweden, the rock quartet released their first full-length release, Heronomous, in 2004. Blank is Sweden’s answer to U2 and Coldplay, without the pretentious image usually associated with those two bands.

Musically
Despite the usual comparisons to rock bands such as U2 and Coldplay, Blank has a much-varied style of music. The members come from different musical backgrounds, each citing different influences such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dream Theater, Guns ‘n’ Roses, and Sting. These styles are combined to make an album of catchy pop songs with an experimental twist. Asides from the standard rock band setup, the band often incorporates beautiful soft piano and touching string arrangements. All this is showcased on the epic, closing track, “Sing”. Another highlights include the acoustically driven “The Key” and the driving guitar piece, “Creation”. “Hearts Like Heroes” has swirling guitar work from guitarist Pelle Nylen, creating a song that could easily pass of as a U2 song. This band is very good with their instruments, and uses their talents to create solid rock music in the vein of U2 or Coldplay. Overall, think of the sound of U2 and Coldplay, and you will have the basic sound of this band.

Vocals/Lyrics
Listening to Joel Berggren sing, I can’t help but think of Bono or Chris Martin. Berggren has a good voice, and you can sense the honesty and emotion that comes out through his voice. The band states on their website that one of their main goals is to impact the listener through their music, and Berggren does that well. Lyrically, the songs are mostly about finding meaning in life through God and being amazed at what God has created. The lyrics are rather simple, but it is understandable considering English is not the band’s first language. Solid lyrics and vocals overall.

“Creation”
You are the air I breathe
And the power
That makes all the flowers grow
You are in all I see
Creation, creation is a praise

“Alright”
I’m alright
‘cause you’re always by my side
Holding me high in the sky
I can’t fall down
Won’t fall down
And you’re wonderful

“Sing”
As a poor man found a penny
As a scared man found a refuge
As a torn man found a healing
That’s how I felt when I found you
That’s why I sing