“King of the Knife” from Secret Sounds 2008 is an ear-opening type of tune. The frenzy in most of the song is real Cherry Bloom. I like the start of “Cash” from the same collection. I would have to rate this one of their best songs. The sharp rhythm and the single-note guitar work are fine.

This is alternative rock from France for those who want something that falls between melodic ballads and screamo. But the easy-listening crowd probably won’t be tuning in. Cherry Bloom is O. Zangs – vocals, guitars, piano; and J. Jourdan – drums, guitars and vocals. The production, by the artists, themselves, is really rather good. But that skill is becoming more common among independent artists.

Each tune is slightly different, but each carries the Cherry Bloom style forward. “The Stains” is an interesting song. The vocal setup makes this one work. I am also partial to a solid bass line as an integral part of the song. “Black Smoke” does this as well.

I have to admit I was intrigued by the title “No Gift This Time.” That song is percussion driven, but in the early measures it is rather straight forward. When the vocal kicks in, the tune picks up a bit. But it made me want to return to “Cash” and “The Stains.

The Cherry Bloom project formed in 2005. Here’s some comment from the duo – “The peculiarity of the sound of Secret Sounds lies in the type of formation based on guitar and drums. It was a challenge to keep a rock dynamics without bass guitar, but in the end the bet is held with a sincere originality.”

Cherry Bloom on MySpace

Tags: indie, cherry bloom, independent music, music, indie music