Click here for photos of Small Black at Blue Point Brewing Party in Brooklyn, NY
Click here for photos of Small Black at CMJ 2014 in New York, NY
Click here for photos of Small Black at 2014 Project Pabst pre-party in Portland, OR
Click here for photos of Small Black at 2014 Savannah Stopover in Savannah, GA
Click here for photos of Small Black at Terminal 5 in New York, NY on September 7th, 2013
Click here for photos of Small Black at House of Vans in Brooklyn, NY on August 29th, 2013
Click here for photos of Small Black from SXSW 2013 in Austin, TX
Two years ago Small Black managed to stand out in the crowded synthesizer-smooth field with Limits of Desire (QRO review), which had the extra skill and emotion needed to produce something special. That continues with Best Blues, even if it can’t be such a revelation the second time around.
From the moving, expansive opener “Personal Best” onward, Best Blues has a personal feel without having to be strictly intimate. The following “No One Wants It To Happen To You” is sweet and airy, while “Boys Life” is dark disco. All of the talk of emotion doesn’t mean that dance beats aren’t there on this record; back-to-back “Checkpoints” and “Smoke Around the Bend” in particular have the beats behind loss.
Best Blues is a definite continuation of Limits of Desire, but there is much to be said for starting strong and staying strong.
