A Watched Pot /Four/AWP EP 
Artist: Bleu 
Url: http://www.bleutopia.com 
Label:  Garage Records
Length: A Watched Pot – 11/41:51
Length: Four/AWP EP – 6/24:51
URL: www.noisetrade.com
 
First, let’s note the irony of the title – A Watched Pot took five years to get released, as the songs were tied up in record label issues and publishing rights.  William James “Bleu” McAuley is a busy man – in the last few years he has recorded with The Major Labels, Loud Lion, LEO, The Moguls, a Boston tribute band, and writing and producing songs for other performers.  He called in a few favors for this disc, with Zac Hanson, Shannon Curfman, Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish), Sandra McCracken, and John Fields appearing.  Fields also plays on and produces the bulk of the songs. 

For those familiar with Redhead, A Watched Pot will alternately please and disappoint.  “Save Me” is a driving pop song, with vocals in the range of Chris Sligh.  “Come N Go” builds to its chorus, while “No Such Thing As Love” has a 70’s feel, and a cynical but melodic story, featuring Sturmer’s backup vocals.  

“Boy Meets Girl” depicts a relationship between two widely different people, comparing them to bands that sound nothing alike: “It’s like Mr. Mister meets Twisted Sister…” Somehow the contrasting styles work really well here.  “Kiss Me” is George Michael crossed with Motown.  “I Won’t F--- You Over This Time,” despite its title, is a steamy romantic ballad. 

“When the Lights Go Out,” a duet with Sandra McCracken, is the album’s highlight, blending the vocals of both artists perfectly.  Either of these artists has the ability to harmonize with anyone, and the traded leads build to the harmonized chorus wonderfully.  It was also released on McCracken’s recent EP with Derek Webb. 

Four/AWP EP is available through Noisetrade for download only.  More than just some throwaway demos that didn’t make the cut, at least three of the six songs are superior to some of the tracks chosen for A Watched Pot.  “Singing in Tongues” is a return to Bleu’s previous sound, and “The Blame Game” is one of the stronger tracks.  “Can’t Be That Bad If It Feels This Good” should have also been included on the main album.  “In Love With My Lover” has almost a 50’s/Sam Cooke sound. 

Of the seventeen tracks contained on the two projects, ten or eleven would have made for an excellent recording.  Bleu is recording demos already for his next project.  Time will tell which direction he will take, but the talent here cannot be denied. 

Brian A. Smith
13 June 2010

A Watched Pot –  
Four/AWP EP –