‘Look into the light’ press
Finally it’s a welcome return for LA renaissance man Matt Adams and his latest incarnation of The Blank Tapes, who get the whole room dancing and grinning with their laidback yet crunch rock ’n’ roll. For the uninitiated, think Loaded-era Velvets with a touch Creedence and Quicksilver Messenger Service: simple three-chord songs played tight in the pocket with virtuoso chops. Tonight they lean heavily on latest album Look Into The Light, opening with the minimal stomp of ‘I Think I Took Too Much’ and building to the title track, with an extended instrumental break that borrows its dynamics from ‘Light My Fire’ for definite peak moment. They close with a verse of ‘Happy Birthday’ for our hosts, and the hope of many more fine shows to come. - SHINDIG MAGAZINE
Matt Adams continued his musical vision quest as The Blank Tapes by releasing two long EPs of music in 2019, ‘Super Bloom’ in May and ‘Look Into The Light’ in October. They are refinements of the singer-songwriter’s kaleidoscopic take on 1960s psychedelic pop, rich in melody and textures and perfect for whatever scent the wind is carrying. “Pure Evil,” which features longtime band member Veronica Bianqui on backing vocals, imagines that wind as a desert breeze, stirred up by some spaghetti Western flavor. The song is about a devil of a woman — “Don’t spend the night with her / She’s like Lucifer / You’ll need a crucifix / ’Cause she’s 666,” he sings — and there’s not one but two of them in the video. Filmed by CJ Brion in Joshua Tree, where Adams now lives, the video stars Sarah Orton and Kiana (styled by Cash Honey). Adams, making his way slowly through the desert, accepts a gift and wanders away to make his own discovery at the end. It could be real, it could be a hallucination. In the desert, one never knows. -BUZZBANDS LA
The latest release… is a fantastic offering of sounds with a 60’s sound but modern feel, with synergistic energy and harmonic super sonic beats, this is a hit for the new year and the coming millennium. The first, and title track, Look Into The Light is minimal in lyrics, but has punch, a psychedelic trance in audio. The “band” has on their web page a bio that screams “dig this groovy ghoulies.” Although The Blank Tapes has the moniker of Indie, they have a well established sound and following, well credited to their talent and awesome sound. Reminiscent of artists like Donovan, Arthur Brown, Santana and Richie Havens and the rest of the Woodstock ensemble, this album is essential. Following tracks, “I Think I Took Too Much”, “Ride On”, “Pure Evil”, “Light In The Dark”, “Death” and the final track “Don’t You Feel”, all follow the same high groove, beyond the fringe, beyond the folk-ish, early rock soundscape, creating a full and rich album with rhythms that hold on for a full foot to the floor joyride. The guitar work is amazing while the Bass and Drums hold time like a heartbeat. I am amazed that this album is the brainchild of one artist that has all the bases covered. This, as said, is a great album and a pure homage to an era of music that opened the minds and the third eye of a generation, inspired equality, understanding and the expansion of a universal consciousness, and though that may have been many years ago, the principle of pleasure is alive and well in Look Into The Light. -INDIEPULSE
A seasonal companion to the Superbloom EP, Look Into the Light is a heady, heavy autumnal record. The title track has a funky, tropical sound, a slight departure from their more summery, laid-back stoner jams. The Tapes’ characteristic lushness and fascinating, complex guitar work is present as always; but rather than their usual kaleidoscopic rainbow sound, Look Into the Light is more shadows and flashes of light, particularly songs like “Death” and “Pure Evil.” Sonically, these songs are light-hearted and winking, even with Matt Adams’ crazy licks, so don’t get too spooked. Put this album on at your psychedelic Halloween acid party. And invite me - PETAL MOTEL
One of the biggest misconceptions involving music of the psychedelic variety is the lack of fun. While there are a few bands out there who embellish color and the involvement of various substances for added flair. However, I can’t think of any psyche-rock artists who have more fun than Matt Adams. As the heart and soul The Blank Tapes, Adams knows his way around the psychedelic genre like the back of his California sunburned hands. But for The Blank Tapes’ 13th album, Adams takes the top-down and tries something with a little more whimsy. The result? Look Into The Light. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to listen to just about any release from The Blank Tapes’ vast discography, you already know the instrumental wizardry of Adams. Despite no two records being alike, Adams maintains his knack for complex arrangements. Be it winding basslines, hypnotic rhythms, or one thousand and one guitar riffs. But with Look Into The Light, it feels like the journey has taken a slight detour to the beach. Don’t get me wrong, there are enough ominous sub-plots and twists to remind you this is The Blank Tapes, but for the most part, shadows have been replaced with sun rays. The title track of Look Into The Light alone, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another psychedelic track that makes you want to get up and dance. Well, that is until “Light The Dark” rolls around anyway. When Look Into The Light isn’t a party, it still manages to stay far from slow dirges found on most records of the genre. Even with “Death” being the darkest track on the album, the vibe has it’s tongue firmly in cheek. Bringing things back to more familiar territory is the nearly nine-minute epic closing track “Don’t You Feel”. The feeling is easy going but there’s a slight hint of the standard sinister flavor Adams does so effortlessly. It doesn’t change the album’s bright spots, but it lets you know that The Blank Tapes haven’t exactly sold out. Regardless of where the road takes you next, The Blank Tapes and Matt Adams haven’t run out of ideas just yet and Look Into The Light is the most interesting side-quest in the repertoire. -50THIRDAND3RD
