3 Rounds and a Sound

Blind Pilot | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: July 15, 2008
• Label: Expunged Records
• Copyright: 2008 Expunged Records
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock > Singer-Songwriters
  • Pop > Singer-Songwriters
  • Rock
• ASIN: B001BWRG8U
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,533 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars +1/2 -- Intriguing acoustic indie rock from Portland, Oregon February 15, 2009

By hyperbolium

Format:Audio CD

One of the foundations of sound mixing is that you can emphasize one sound by de-emphasizing others. Portland, Oregon's Blind Pilot is a good example of how this principle works on a band level. Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski started out as a duo whose songs, built mainly on guitar and drums, emphasized lyrics and vocal melodies by stripping away all the other distractions. Their first full-length CD adds a second string player and a bassist, but even as they absorb touches of vibraphone, violin and horns, the arrangements retain the fragile sparseness that serves to spotlight Nebeker's melodious voice.

Likening Nebeker to the Shins' James Mercer acknowledges the high edge in each singer's voice, but only skims the surface of their styles. Mercer is, at heart, a rock vocalist, while Nebeker sings with more carefully constructed style, doubling his vocals, singing harmonies, and caressing his lyrics with thoughtfully stretched words and sounds. Backed by low-key mostly acoustic backings, Nebeker sheds the theatrics required of a rock vocalist, settles into the coffeehouse volume of a folk singer, and draws listeners into his lyrics with agonizingly beautiful melodies.

Nebeker's songs are crafted around ear-catching phrases, but even as you sing along, the verses remain enigmatic. But instead of remaining impenetrable assemblages of poetics, Blind Pilot communicates their songs' emotions through Nebeker's vocal tone and the band's subtle instrumental support. The lyrical imagery may remain abstract, but the feelings of loneliness, remorse, fallibility, and mortality, the longing to reach out and the reality of sharply pulling back, all resonate deeply. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars my favorite album of the year October 3, 2008

By Zeke Camden

Format:Audio CD

"Three Rounds and a Sound" is surely the best album I've heard this year -- indeed, possibly the best album I've come across since my dearly beloved Rheostatics broke up. It's fabulously beautiful, deep and sad and lovely, and catchy all at the same time. The melancholy tone of youth at the moment when youth begins to fade. Songs that sound as if they have been patiently waiting for a millenium or more for someone to finally come along and give birth to them. "Oviedo," in particular, could save the life of a desperate man if played at just the right moment. What can I say to capture how good this disc is? If it were a girl I'd leave my wife for her. There. Enough said.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Saw them at SXSW in Austin, TX - been hooked since May 28, 2009

By houndinaustin

Format:Audio CD

Was browsing through the SXSW lineup looking for bands to check out - the write-up for Blind Pilot caught my attention - first with them being compared to Iron & Wine as well as The Shins and then the story of their clever "Blind" and "Pilot" cycle trip. Apart from this CD as well as their live performance being outstanding, you're also taken in by how earnest and understated their performance is. I'd also say their music reminds me a bit of Calexico - especially in their ability to judiciously meld together a neat collection of instruments to create a delicate, beautiful sound.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible December 15, 2009

By K. Coleman

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I read an article about this band and went to their web page and listened to some of their tunes their and immediately bought the digital album. It quite literally left me breathless and saying "Oh, Wow!". A cross between Folk, Alternative, & Pop, they seem to inhabit a genre all their own. Israel has a beautiful voice, but even the guitar alone makes my head spin. I'm a classic and alt rock fan, my mom is a country fan, I've a friend that is more into industrial rock and all 3 of us are impressed with this group.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful unique music August 20, 2009

By D. Phillips

Format:Audio CD

I first heard about this band when I saw the Decemberists in concert in Vancouver in late July. Before this I'd never heard of Blind Pilot, and I wasn't expecting a lot from their performance (they were a warm up band after all). Surprise, surprise I found that I enjoyed them just as much as the main band I came to see, and I knew I had to find out if they had a CD.

I instantly bought the CD, and its just as good as live. They play an interesting indie pop/folk combo with some imaginative and clear vocals by the lead singer. They aren't for everyone but I thoroughly have enjoyed their stuff, and am awaiting their new material. They've got such potential for such a young band.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Blind Pilot is Refreshingly Beautiful December 2, 2008

By Josh Friedman

Format:MP3 Music

Blind Pilot's 3 Rounds and a Sound is a beautiful and poetic journey. Their story telling through lyrics and song speak volumes about life and love. This is one of those bands that you want to know before they get huge, and there is no doubt they will be huge. Seeing them live is a tasty treat.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A great find! July 20, 2008

By J. Erik Gray

Format:Audio CD

Blind Pilot is a band out of Portland, Ore. created by natives Ryan Dobrowski and Israel Nebeker.

The group has a cool folk sound with an acoustic guitar and simple effective drumming. They mention Neutral Milk Hotel as influence, but they do not sound as raw.

Blind Pilot is doing a West Coast bike tour starting in August. Check this music out. You will certainly enjoy it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I love Blind Pilot November 26, 2012

By AlexandraS6

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Blind Pilot is awesome, I can't get enough of their music. Great addictive beats and catchy tunes...will always be a loyal fan!