Montreal noise rock duo Solids have a sound that can be relatively easily compared to many of their contemporaries such as Dinosaur Jr., Japandroids, Stagnant Pools, and Sonic Youth. However, to do so may not be doing the group’s debut LP Blame Confusion enough justice. At just under forty minutes, the record is the perfect length for high-energy up tempo numbers like “Traces,” with its shimmery keyboard klinks and shouted vocals, and slow burners (at least relative to the rest of the tracks) like album opener “Over the Sirens.” However, the album works best when the band dials it back just a tad and lets their inner Codeine come out to play on tracks such as album highlight “Laisser Faire,” which boasts a catchy as hell guitar riff and an intriguing coda that ends just a bit too soon. 
Though unfortunately the album can sound quite stagnant at times (the guitarist should definitely use his cut of the profits this record makes to buy some new guitar pedals!), this is to be expected from a duo to some degree. Yes, the textures can sometimes leave a little to be desired, but the duo has pieced together a strong debut nonetheless. Overall, Solids is an exciting and very pleasing listen back to front.
Key Tracks:
Laisser Faire
Through The Walls
Terminal
Over the Sirens