Blueburst, the collaboration between guitarist and vocalist Craig Douglas Miller of The Reach and Marty Willson-Piper of The Church, first came to our attention in the spring of this year. I was instantly taken with their debut single Vanish, so much so much so that I’ve shared several other of their tracks this year. The single releases have now all culminated into a debut album. It’s called Significance.

By Graeme Smith

Craig’s project Blueburst came about after a 20-plus year hiatus of his career. Suffering from untreated clinical depression, writers block, and a taste for gin and tonic, it took a meeting with Marty to reignite his interest in music. Now at 50 years old, he’s going through a renaissance. Significance is the result of this rebirth.

The album opens with the aforementioned Vanish. It’s a rousing start and the perfect introduction to the Blueburst sound which combines the alternative rock of the ’90s with emotional modern sensibilities. Its groove will have you nodding along while Craig’s expressive vocals will have you hanging on every word.

Executioner’s Song keeps things lively, but takes them in a moodier direction. Senseless slows things down with a lilting arrangement and vulnerable, confessional lyrics. Supernova ups the tempo with some sweeping cinematic indie rock. Kick My Tyres sits at the heart of the album providing a biting and cantering highlight.

Bravado opens the second half of the album in stirring style. Amplify Me continues in the same vein, giving us urgent and rebellion-inspiring rock and roll. Come Alive is raw and uplifting before Finito closes the album with a dreamy introspective moment.

Purchasers of the CD get a bonus track in the form of Blueburst’s take on The Clash’s Train in Vain, and there is also another bonus acoustic version of Senseless.

Featuring on Significance are drummers Michael Jerome and Brian Platt, bassist Ryan Kelly and vocalist Riley Schatz. The album is set for release on 20 October.