Expansion

Expansion is a work by Blindman released at the great milestone of its 25th anniversary, a record that powerfully sounded its axis of melodic, emotional hard rock with a surer band feel. Tatsuya Nakamura’s guitar splendidly unites rich songcraft and a sharp edge, and Ray’s vocals deliver big, beautiful melody straight and powerfully. A record inscribing the sure fullness of a long career. From the powerful drive of the opener “Love Drifter” and the drama of “Angel Smile” to a cut like “Promise of Love,” every song is engaging, while cuts like “Never Say Never” and “Your Melody” convey the work’s fullness. Tatsuya Nakamura’s fluid, lyrical guitar is powerfully in sharp form throughout. A record on which, while firmly holding splendid, memorable hooks, the playing by no means flows to sweetness alone, and the rhythm section and keyboards give the songs a sure thickness. An anniversary work looking back on the career, it also clearly shows that the present-day Blindman is still moving powerfully forward. A sincere, powerful, engaging record — a record where the band’s vigor shines.