The Blood Arm - Infinite Nights

It’s difficult not to take notice of the fact ‘Infinite Nights’ is the product of a crowd-funding exercise. It may be all the rage to use Kickstarter, Pledge Music or one of their contemporaries to support albums these days but it does raise some questions about why the record could not be produced through the traditional avenues. Further, it demonstrates the band’s support in the form of fans prepared to pay for music yet to be made. But it does give the band a freedom and confidence to do whatever they want with their music – or does it mean they must cover their backs, play it safe and edge towards an wide an appeal as possible?

On first listen to ‘Infinite Nights’, The Blood Arm’s fourth album, it’s easy to mistake it for a compilation cd, perhaps b-sides or rarities, rather than a single album. The opener ‘Wrong Side of the Law’ is a slow, introspective track characterised by dry and slightly clumsy lyrics and a marching drum beat, while the second songs kicks with a crackling electronic riff and stripped-back pop hit feel. Next, a fairly wet acoustic piano ballad takes third spot. And then a fuller sound emerges for a not particularly interesting indie anthem.

The album feels disjointed and is difficult to settle in to. But despite the songs sounding safe and easy going, it feels bland and weak. Frontman Nathaniel Fregoso’s voice is soft, gentle and sounds moderately bored. Equally, the melodies are not catchy nor the instrumentals engaging. It’s all pleasant enough but lacks an edge or spark. After the initial leaps of inconsistency, the tracks settle into a comfortable blend of sunny indie pop lacking any real imagination, which is a shame given the crowd-funding clearly captured the imagination of enough impassioned musical backers.