Blacklisted: When People Grow, People Go (2015) Review – In 6 Years The Band Has Grown

It’s been a long six-year dry spell since the last grunge experimentation that was the last Blacklisted album. Now, coming on February 10th, we will get the next monster album from Blacklisted, When People Grow, People Go.

Frontman George Hirsch, however, has been active in the wake of the band’s full reappearance to the scene, providing guest vocals and an acoustic album. Hirsch has always been an honest vocalist, but on this album his lyrics represent a certain vulnerability he is conscious about while letting his passionate emotions hit the floor.

“Insularized” kicks off with a dark and reflective tone, and what might start off a little slow and grungy sparks into punk chord progressions with breakneck drums leading the charge. At that small buildup the rest of the album takes form in not giving much room to breathe, releasing 11 songs at a total of 21 minutes. A quick and satisfying album indeed.

“Deeper Kind” is the ultimate rally song against the troubles in life, really digging at what Hirsch wants the music to represent. If anything, Blacklisted are here to make aware the trials in life and how to counteract. “Gossamer” is an anti-gossip song, maybe even tackling the way the music industry seems to swing away at certain bands with gossip. “Calendars” is the most virulent track on the album, clocking in at 57 seconds with ferocious walls of distortions and intricate drum lines.

The longest song is the self-titled closing number, actually reaching the three-minute mark. Here, Hirsch makes it clear what he has been so vulnerable about, being left by people he has watched grow. They left and he is stuck in this shallow state. Maybe it has something to do with the music this band has created over the years and how quickly people would leave after they had grown from whatever phase they were in to listen to hardcore.

Stream the album here.

Sonically this album is a step above previous material. The grunge and twangy ’90s sounds find ways to come alive on this album, but the hardcore and punk sides fight for most of the major influences. “Gossamer” and the two bookends combine the most of all the influences into the songs. The bass is audible, which is fantastic, but for whatever reason the mix feels off. The guitars at times sound a bit muddy. Most of the production seems focused on the vocals, which is fine seeing as Hirsch is a strong vocalist.

Pre-order When People Grow, People Go in various formats here.

The Verdict:

When People Grow, People Go is a well put together record. Blacklisted have solidified a strong album proving they can still fight for space in this scene. Combining the confident experimentation with the rambunctious nature of hardcore into 11 songs shows the band has not peaked, and can continue to grow. Let's just hope they don't go.