Okay, so apparently, after a whole quarter of a century of making noise 🙉 and churning out ten albums that SOME people (who are probably tone-deaf 👂) call “genre-defining,” BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME is back with “The Blue Nowhere.” Yes, another one. This auditory experience 😫, dropping September 12 via InsideOut Music (whoever THEY are), is supposedly their “most immersive and eclectic record yet.” Because, you know, the other ten weren’t eclectic enough. 🤔 And get this – it’s their DEBUT for the label! Like anyone cares at this point. 🤷♀️
While BTBAM is known for albums that try too hard to be deep and meaningful 🙄, vocalist Tommy Rogers (who?) claims that this 10-track masterpiece 🤡 “exists in a world that’s not tied to a storyline.” Oh, so they finally gave up on the pseudo-intellectual garbage? He describes the lyrics as “journal entries, fleeting and introspective thoughts – chaotic at times, depending on the music.” In other words, random words strung together to sound profound. 🙄
BTBAM is gracing us, the unworthy masses, with a “first feel” (whatever that means) for the new album with “Things We Tell Ourselves In The Dark.” Sounds cheerful. 😒 And, of course, there’s a video. Because nobody actually listens to music anymore, right? 🙄
Director Miles Skarin (another name I’ve never heard of 🤷♀️) blesses us with his “insight” into the clip: “We wanted to create the hotel from the album concept and artwork.” Oh, so it’s pretentious AND derivative? Got it. 👍 He goes on about 3D modeling and marigold petals and “intense particle simulation” that took 17 HOURS to render. SEVENTEEN HOURS! ⌚ To create something that will be forgotten in 17 seconds. 🤣 He also added “surreal elements,” because, you know, subtlety is for losers. 🙄
Tommy Rogers chimes in again, telling us that “This track emerged from the maniac genius of Dan Briggs.” Maniac genius? More like maniacal ego. 🙄 He says the song deals with “the dark cloud that is ego,” so he tried to approach it “with a different kind of confidence than normal, almost like a pop song.” So, basically, he’s admitting they’re selling out? 🤑
Dan Briggs (who I guess is important enough to get a quote) adds his two cents: “It’s one of the rare songs I started around the bass.” Groundbreaking. 🙄 He babbles on about funky ideas and melodic ideas and how it should feel like “Prince’s band playing.” Yeah, because BTBAM is totally on par with Prince. 🤣
“The Blue Nowhere” (still a stupid name) was produced by longtime collaborator Jamie King (yawn 😴) and features an “extensive string and horn section.” Because apparently they’re trying to be a jazz band now? 🎷 It’s available as a CD, 2LP (because vinyl is SOOOO trendy), and digitally. There’s also a “deluxe gatefold special colored 2LP + 2CD edition” with a bonus track, instrumentals, a door-hanger (because who needs actual merch?), and “alternate artwork.” In other words, a desperate attempt to squeeze every last penny out of their dwindling fanbase. 💰
Here’s the track listing for “The Blue Nowhere,” in case you care:
01. Things We Tell Ourselves In The Dark (still depressing)
02. God Terror (edgy!)
03. Absent Thereafter (I’m already there)
04. Pause (please do)
05. Door #3 (what’s behind it? more disappointment?)
06. Mirador Uncoil (sounds painful)
07. Psychomanteum (try saying that five times fast)
08. Slow Paranoia (accurate description of listening to this band)
09. The Blue Nowhere (still makes no sense)
10. Beautifully Human (doubtful)
BTBAM has apparently “built a reputation” (according to their PR team, anyway) as one of heavy music’s “most forward-thinking and creatively ambitious bands.” Sure, Jan. 🙄 They’ve released ten albums, landed on year-end best-of lists (paid for, probably), earned a Grammy nomination (that they didn’t win), and been dubbed “prog metal heroes” by Kerrang! (whoever still reads that). Guitar World praised their “epic” and “hugely diverse” sound. In other words, they’re trying too hard. 😫
The band consists of Tommy Rogers (vocals/keys), Paul Waggoner (guitars), Dan Briggs (bass/keys), and Blake Richardson (drums). Names that will be forgotten by next week. 💀
Photo credit: Randy Edwards (who probably deserves a better gig). 📸
And, of course, there’s an embedded YouTube video. Because nobody actually reads articles anymore, right? 🙄
Finally, a picture of the album cover. It’s blue. And nowhere. Deep. 😔
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
