Blonder is Constantine Anastasakis. Unlike most one-person outfits (and some of his previous EPs), Anastasakis actually went into the studio to lay down the tracks. Sure, they were assembled after the fact, but there is a depth of sound that eludes most home recording setups.

Blonder Knoxville House (Cool World)

As for the sound, it does seem like Blonder is aiming for the thicker side of 90s alternapop, often preferring a solid guitar lick to an actual groove. Each song is its own animal, and none of them are well-groomed. They sound amazing, but tuning is often optional (I'm thinking at least some of that is post-recording processing) and the vocals are kinda just thrown out there.

So, yeah, there's a definite Steve Albini feel. Sometimes that bleeds out into something like "Need Again," which is slinky and grungy enough to have been a hit 25 years ago. Sometimes it simply becomes supremely greasy and satisfying sausage.

I get the feeling that Blonder isn't aiming for any sort of consistent sound. Anastasakis arrived at this place, but he's probably already alighted for more unfamiliar territory. That's cool. This set is more than worthy of a one-night stand, if not a more lengthy residency.

Jon Worley