Customer Reviews

The Art of Rolling

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is amazing, it's so classic yet has a sound that says it couldn't have come from north america. what really stood out for me was the singing, which is genuinely high quality and, well, pretty intense, the bluesy piano, and especially the mind-bending keith moon style drumming. while i confess instrumental songs usually leave me bored, Bluverture was something else entirely. But you'll be happy for Baby You've Got Time, not only is it a lovely song, but you'll probably be exhausted half way through the album and need a short break to regain your energy. I would love to see these guys live, Allan Villadsen plays bass like a wild man.
it also doesn't hurt that they look like they stepped off of carnaby street cira 1966, complete with velvet jackets and neck scarves.
i definitely recommend this album. in terms of new rock and roll, you probably won't get much better.

The name kind of threw me off at first. The band is a look back into the past. They are a retro act, but a darn good one.
If you have ever imagined what it would be like to see the Who or Animals back in the early 60's this is it. This band will remind you of others, but they have their own stamp on that music. Their songs sound fresh and exciting. This cd has been in my player all week. My favortie tracks are "revelation of Love", "Product of DK", and "What the Kids Want.

Wow. I asked for this CD for my birthday, and if I didn't get it I planned on having it overnighted to me. Anyway, this band is amazing. Musically, it's not terribly complex, but these guys jam with the best of the 60's greats. The singers voice is probably one of the best I've heard in a long time. I'm not sure what band in particular I'd compare them to, I guess the Kinks has been a popular comparison, but I'm not sure. I'd say if you took all the greatest bands from the 60's (except the Beatles, I don't think they fit the bill for them), and combined them into one, you'd get this band. The lyrics aren't deep, but they don't whine like 99.9% of other bands nowadays. If you're into classic rock and can't stand the post-Nirvana music of today, check this one out. You won't be dissapointed. I understand they put on a damn good live show too!

I went to my local venue to catch one of my favorite bands The Electric Six. The opening band was The Blue Van. I had never heard of them before that show. Later that night and 2 bands later, there was only one thing on my mind... "Why am I not home listening to their CD right now?" I never have known how to rock, but now I know that the secret my friend is to learn the Art of Rolling.

I have to wonder, why these guys are not headlining? At least not much in the US. Opening up for another underrated rock band might be a good start to find fans like me, but I'm sorry to say, even though E6 is one of my favorite bands, The Blue Van should have headlined the show.

Why isn't the music world taking these guys and saying, "Look... we can give you real rock and roll. We can give you something that you didn't think existed anymore. We can give you something you have never heard... all at the same time"

When I listen to this CD I hear The Doors.... Zeppelin, a vintage classic and modern rock sound that is beyond anything I've heard in my lifetime. This is a rare treat that will not go unnoticed. This my friends is a CD I will have resting on the top of my collection for the rest of my life.

I would have to say that this is a nice refresh back to the original raw rock that we know as classic rock, but with a new twist. The key on this album in my opinion is the organ sound and the anthem-esque lyrics. I recommend this to anyone looking for fresh new rock with and aged sound.

This Cd is well worth the money and the hours you spend listen to it. Right from the opening rocker "Word From The Bird" this album keeps your attention and alway leaves you headbanging for more. There is a excellent break in the action when "Baby, I've Got Time" a mellow sing along which makes you tap you foot and strum that 1957 re-issued AirGuitar. The Song of the album for me, is the closing song, "New Slough" just straight ahead rock n roll a great way to end a very gritty and raw debut album, By a new band with a OLD LOUD Sound.

Scott

Okay, so after hearing some buzz over them, and checking out the blue van website (thebluevan.com), I took a chance and bought The Blue Van - The Art of Rolling. And I -SO- did not regret it. I was completely hooked with the raw vocals, pounding of the drums and the Hammond organ. They just jam it out with fun old-school R&B / Rock n' Roll. "The Art Of Rolling" will be getting heavy rotation this summer..You should definitely check it out.

Smokin, good old,straight ahead, madness. A great live act to see.
Drivin with the top down kind of music. Purely summertime rollick.
Lyrics are kind of sparse, but then again sometimes you need it to be, yeah. All in all, listen and run with it.

Theres no other way to say it but "THE BLUE VAN ARE THE BEST MODERN BAND EVER."
That's not an exaggeration or an opinion. It's a fact.
Alot of people try and discredit them, saying that they're nothing but a nostalgia band. I beg to differ. Unlike the rest of today's "retro rock" bands, the blue van isn't merely trying to imitate the real thing. They ARE the real thing. It's as if they came to us in a time machine from the 60s with plans to rule the musical world.

"The Art of Rolling" has a certain quality that is very rare as far as modern rock albums go. There is not ONE song on this whole album that is bad. Every note on this album packs a potent punch of energetic, raw, rock and roll power.

1. Word from The Bird- 10/10)
2. Product of the DK-(10/10)
3. I Remember The Days-(9/10)
4. I want you-(10/10)
5. The Remains of Sir Mason-(10/10)
6. Baby I've got Time-(10/10)
7. The Blueverture-(8/10)
8. Revelation of Love-(100/10)
9. Mob Rule-(10/10)
10.What the young people want-(10/10)
11.Coeur De Lion-(10/10)
12.New Slough-(10/10)

Those scores are not the ramblings of a blind fan. They're hard cold truth. The fact that this album didn't rule the Music TV channels and top the billboard charts not only perplexes me, but really makes me angry.

You want a talented young band with talent and style?
This is it.

The Blue Van are a bluesier Supergrass, while their style is very blues band-like (i.e., Savoy Brown) there's a pretty sunny vibe to songs like "I Remember The Days" and " Product of DK".
I also chuckled over the gloom & doom King Crimson prog instrumental "The Bluveture" which probably had the band smiling while they were recording it.
Per Jurgenson's drums are very well recorded emulating an explosive Keith Moon-Kenney Jones sound, and Soren Christensen's keyboards are outstanding throughout the record. This one took me by surprise! Great band.