Blondshell. Blondshell

Blondshell or singer-songwriter parttime rock chick Sabrina Teitelbaum, knows how to rock alright. With single 'Veronica Mars' she made a first impression on me that lasted, as you are viewing my words on her eponymous debut album. 'Veronica Mars' opens the album and shreds it into little pieces. As undercooled as she sings the song, seeking shelter with a near-death voice, all the pain, uncertainty, anxiety, teenangst and God knows what else comes out in one howl and that guitar. Within two minutes it is all over, but what a two minutes they are. Blondshell must have been out to make a huge impression and success in spades. Is this one of those first songs on a first album that even if she had never released another song, it would have been enough? Say 'Rock And Roll Star' or 'I Saw Her Standing There'? It may well be.

Teitelbaum is smart enough to know she'll not easily go over her opening track and changes the mood to intimacy immediately. 'Kiss City' is a ballad. Yes, it becomes more emotional and louder but does not compete in a serious way. It is more than enough to keep my attention and gladly it does.

Blondshell is a nice alternative rock album. She is not afraid of riding the waves of the 90s grunge movement. It is easy to recognise the light-dark dynamics of Nirvana and Hole, including the soft singing and screams of both frontpersons, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love. At the same time there is a hint of pop in her vocal melodies. It is however all about what happens underneath that hint. Rock is the word here.

Sabrina Teitelbaum grew up in mid-town Manhatten, went to L.A. for her schooling in a pop school, dropped out with enough theoretical knowledge to start her career on. Back in New York she found her own voice during the pandemic and is ready to take on the world with 'Blondshell' once back in L.A..

Photo: Dominique Falcone

Lyrically, I cannot always relate any more. From a marketing point of view I should not be Blondshell's target audience. Rock transcends generations these days, so here I am anyway. And having a good time with the record. Musically the album falls right into its place

Admittedly I like 'Veronica Mars' better than 'Sober Together', the other side of the album. An almost jazzy ballad that with only minor details changed in the arrangement could have been on Sade's debut album. As a ballad the song works. A lot of work was put into the details and that pays off.

Where to place 'Blondshell'? I think it deserves its place between recent albums by The Beths, Jen Cloher and Amber Arcades, where rock meets pop, always in surprising ways. 'Blondshell' is not the best album in its segment. Remember, this a debut album, so Sabrina Teitelbaum has every chance to develop her art further. With 'Veronica Mars' she already released a song that deserves a spot in the rock pantheon. Not a lot of people can say as much, let alone with a song off their first album.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Blondshell here:

https://blondshell.bandcamp.com/