Twenty-five years ago, Bludgers released its first album. A year later, Set Your Sights Low followed. I listen to that second album a few times each year. It is easily one of my favorite albums of the 8,000 or so that I've reviewed for A&A. And now, one score and a handful of years later, here's a batch of five new-ish songs.

Bludgers Five EP (self-released)

"Ish" because they've been available as singles. But that's beside the point. I don't know when these songs were recorded (I haven't been able to track that down), but they sound like the band did back in 1997. So when reviewers talk about this "new" band that sounds like Uncle Tupelo and Sun Volt and the like (yes, those two are quite similar), I chuckle just a bit. Bludgers were a contemporary of Sun Volt, and the band hailed from Champaign (some the members were associated with U of I)--so there's even a geographical touchpoint.

Singer Jon Pheloung was a professor at U of I. He moved on, and the band did as well. He's now back in his native New Zealand, where he teaches, acts and directs. It seems technology has caught up, and I'm guessing (because I can't get answers) that these songs were recorded in various locations and then assembled. I wish I had more information (not least because I want it as well), but there you go.

Five new songs from a band that is still fresh to my ears after 25 years. These songs have the feel and style of the old Bludgers. They fit better with the first album, which is somewhat brighter in its outlook. The almost oppressive darkness of Set Your Sights Low (the particular character that makes me go back again and again) is fleeting with this set. It sounds like Pheloung and company are in happier places now, or at least they've come to terms with how life is. Nonetheless, this is a lovely echo, and I'd be happy to hear many more.

Jon Worley