Blossoms: Ribbon Around the Bomb

Blossoms: Ribbon Around the Bomb

Side A opens with ‘The Writers Theme’ a short instrumental piece, acting as the opening credits although short it translations into the next track perfectly. ‘Ode to NYC’ sees Tom write a love letter to his favourite city. Referencing people and places that have made his experiences in New York amazing, the song sees the band strip things back gone are the 80s synths, and they’ve been replaced with an almost Simon and Garfunkel like sound. The albums title track is next ‘Ribbon Around the Bomb’ it’s classic Blossoms, in a more grown up way. Tom wears his heart on his sleeve with the songs on this album and this song is no different. It’s easily to see why the band made it a single. ‘The Sulking Poet’ is one of my personal favourites, it’s an uplifting moment about youth and retrospect soundtracked by some brilliant Paul Simon like guitar. ‘Born Wild’ is the penultimate song on Side A, a song that really suits the album but also wouldn’t sound out of place on the bands previous record ‘Foolish Loving Spaces’ it’s a very soulful track with intricate guitar work and a very tight rhythm section that set the pace. It’s a hidden gem within the Blossoms discography. Ending Side A is ‘The Writer’ where Tom takes centre stage for an introspective ballad, about a character ‘The Writer’ based on himself, this is a band who have come of age, and are not afraid to keep moving. Like there Manchester companions it’s amazing what they can do simply with an acoustic guitar 

Side B opens with ‘Everything About You’ another upbeat song that picks up the pace a little again, still acoustic guitars are the main sound but rhythmic drumming and sporadic backing vocals see the band explore a different sound again. I can see this track becoming a live favourite. ‘Care For’ sees Blossoms at there 70s best, influenced by The Real Thing and ‘You To Me Are Everything’ it sees Blossoms soundtrack the wedding disco for a song, and is unlike anything else on the album yet it still has its place. Another live staple for sure. ‘Cinerama Holy Days’ sees Tom looking back too his youth again, reminiscing how much he enjoyed them, centred around a brilliant piano riff. It’s one of the albums highlights and a Blossoms classic. My personal favourite track is the a ‘Edith Machina’ is a nod to The Smiths with Josh’s brilliant guitar work and Simon & Garfunkel, with beautiful backing vocals and harmonies, it’s beautiful, it’s melancholic, it’s Blossoms and this what they do. They’ve been doing it for four albums. ‘Visions’ is the longest song Blossoms have ever done, and it doesn’t falter or become boring. It’s a masterpiece a look at where they are and how they’ve got here. The Last Chapter’ closes out the record another short instrumental piece brings down the curtain and the end credits play.

Blossoms have grown up, and they’ve stepped up too both musically and lyrically. Are they the best band in Britain? That’s for you to decide!