BLUE BLOOD (Blue Blud) – Universal Language ’91 [Japanese Edition +1] *HQ*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

We featured the just released very early material from British melodic hard rockers Blue Blud, and their first official album. And now you need to hear their sophomore and last effort “Universal Language“, issued in 1991, where the band slightly shift their name to BLUE BLOOD. This Japanese pressing adds a bonus track and sports different artwork.
Echoing their prior LP, BLUE BLOOD fuse European and American influences with a refined production—less flamboyant, more organic. As example, the bass guitar gets a prominent role on “Universal Language”, turning these melodic songs toughter.
Musically these songs are very solid, with clever arrangements and strong choruses, a BLUE BLOOD / Blue Blud trademark. On this album, sonically the band brings to mind, at places, of 21 Guns, at others, Germans Casanova. Among the highlights there’s ‘She Shakes Me Up’, title track ‘Universal Language’, the midtempo AOR of ‘Cruel World’, and the bluesy ‘Homebound Train’. The disc also packs two power ballads; the very good ‘Say A Prayer’ and ‘Share The Night’.
The Japanese bonus track ‘Fool’ is a slow tune also, not exactly a ballad, but based in atmosphere.

Some bands rightly deserve success, other bands certainly don’t. Then there are bands like Blue Blud, with all bases covered for major, MAJOR success, whilst also being in the right place and at the right time. But for whatever reason, the planets just did not align. Life can be cruel like that sometimes, and in the process we lost one of the UK’s brightest hopes.
As the melodic hard rock was fading away in the industry preferences, BLUE BLOOD opted to split in 1992 with bassist Dave Crawte and the Sutcliffe brothers deciding to reform Trespass, their original early ’80s band.
Highly Recommended

1 – Universal Language = ユニバーサル・ランゲージ
2 – Cruel World = クルーエル・ワールド
3 – She Shakes Me Up = シー・シェイクス・ミー・アップ
4 – Say A Prayer = セイ・ア・プレイヤー
5 – New Toy = ニュー・トーイ
6 – Hit The Deck = ヒット・ザ・デック
7 – Homebound Train = ホーム・バウンド・トレイン
8 – Share The Night = シェア・ザ・ナイト
9 – Sun Worshipper = サンワーシッパー
10 – What’s Your Pleasure = ホワッツ・ユア・プレジャー
BONUS TRACK FOR JAPAN;
11 – Fool = フール

Philip J. Kane – Lead & Backing Vocals
Dave Crawte – Bass Guitars, Backing Vocals
Paul Sutcliffe – Drums & Percussion, Backing Vocals
Mark Sutcliffe – Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Backing Vocals
Rob Ariss – Keyboards, Backing Vocals

Out of print