his is an indie website, right? No one will mind then, if I review an album created by friends of mine in the purest of indie fashion- in a basement, on an analog eight track, "pressed" 100 times on an Atapi CD burner, and hand labeled with blue Sharpies. This is as indie as it gets, in case that matters to anyone.


The Chinchilla LP, the debut album by Milwaukee band Blue Project, is labeled with a made up catalogue number on the side of the case that exactly resembles that of the Pixies’ Doolittle, with only the last two numbers changed. Appropriately, the music within adheres to this analogy perfectly. And by that I mean, perfectly.


I don’t need to mention the Pixies, because every single band that was formed after 1990 was somehow influenced by them, and Blue Project doesn’t innovate or improve upon that sound enough for it to be worth it here. The closest influence on The Chinchilla LP can be heard in Rival Schools, Walter Schreifels’ new band. Blue Project sound pretty much exactly like them, but being derivative isn’t necessarily bad, and in the case of The Chinchilla LP, it works quite well. The guitars crash when they should, and the high notes weep when it’s right. Most importantly, lead singer Willy Dintenfass’s phenomenally expressive voice captures you, demanding compassion and empathy. This voice is what saves the record from mediocrity, and makes it, in some ways, a lot better than Rival Schools.


Unfortunately, there’s a lot of cliches here. A lot of half-baked death imagery. Teenage stereotypes everywhere. Weak lyrics in most places. "Interaction of skin minus love leaves me numb," sings Dintenfass, sounding rather silly. "It’s this hole in my chest! It’s the whole entire mess!" he continues, but the sincerity in his voice makes you doubt that he’s ripping this off of at least five different grunge bands.


The Chinchilla LP has undeniable faults, but it’s still a passionate record, and if you’re in the right mood, even the lyrics can sound comforting. Most of the songs (with the exceptions of "Electroshock" and "Racecars") build up steadily, at times exploding to communicate intense levels of love, energy, and loneliness. It’ll touch you.


Indie or not, that’s really the whole idea, no?


For information on how to get a copy of The Chinchilla LP, email Blue Project.