What makes The Blakes by The Blakes notable?

This album received positive reviews in various music publications, highlighting its catchy sound and songwriting prowess. It helped position The Blakes as a notable name in indie rock circles during a time when the genre was experiencing significant growth in popularity. The Blakes marked The Blakes' debut album, released in 2006 when they were still establishing their identity in the indie rock scene. Following this release, the band would gain attention for their catchy hooks and energetic performances, setting the stage for subsequent projects.

How many songs are on The Blakes?

The Blakes has 11 tracks, running approximately 30 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

The Blakes

The Blakes · 2006

30 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A punchy blend of jangly guitars and infectious melodies that captures the essence of early 2000s indie rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Two Times — Opening with an infectious riff, this track encapsulates the band's energetic sound and showcases their knack for memorable melodies.
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Don't Bother Me — With its driving beat and relatable lyrics about frustration, this song exemplifies the band's ability to combine personal themes with upbeat instrumentation.
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Vampire — This track features a darker tone and more complex structure, demonstrating the band's range and hinting at deeper lyrical themes beneath their poppy exterior.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

43 /100

Lowland

Higher than 2% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and energetic performances typical of its era but lacks standout moments.

What we noticed

The album opens with a driving rhythm and jangly guitars that set a consistent mid-tempo pace for the first half.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, which enhance the melodic hooks.
The last three tracks slow down slightly, introducing more introspective themes and varying the energy before concluding.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Two Times 2:41
2 Don't Bother Me 2:50
3 Modern Man 2:44
4 Commit 2:34
5 Don't Want That Now 2:20
6 Vampire 2:41
7 Lintwalk 2:49
8 Lie Next to Me 2:46
9 Pistol Grip 2:04
10 Picture 2:37
11 Streets 3:54

What to play next

Full The Blakes discography Artists like The Blakes

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata