Hello reader,
Welcome back. Are you ready for another review?
Today, we’re going to delve into Indy-based hip-hop trio 81355 (pronounced “BLESS”) that consists of members Sean “Oreo” Jones, Sedcairn (David “Moose” Adamson), and Sirius Blvck (Niq Askren). The group was formed after lyricists Sean “Oreo” Jones and Sirius Blvck were joined by producer and lyricist Sedcairn, who added soundscapes to fill out and define the group’s sound. Jones and Blvck had already made a name for themselves in the Indianapolis (aka Naptown) scene as the hip-hop collective Ghost Gun Summer, and Sedcairn was producing Grampall Jookabox, which is described as an “underground indie meets jangle pop project,” and the same label, Joyful Noise, also released that project.
According to the album’s press release, “Though they may be known primarily for their musical output, the members of BLESS are also steadfast in their commitment to community uplift and collective creative expansion. Jones and his partner, Jane Sun Kim, produce and curate Chreece, the largest Midwestern Hip-Hop festival hosted in the heart of Naptown. Askren plays a pivotal role in the empowerment and advancement of Indy Hunger Network, a local non-profit that addresses food insecurity across Indianapolis. Adamson is a key contributor to Joyful Noise, an Indy-based independent label cutting records for local artists of all genres.”
In 2021, BLESS released their first album, This Time I’ll Be of Use, to acclaim from national music reviewers.
And now, on Friday, July 11th, for your listening pleasure, comes BLESS’s second album, Bad Dogs, out via the fabulous Joyful Noise Recordings.
From the album’s press release, Sedcairn notes, “The songs are more hopeful and celebrate life. Finding joy in what we do is the most important thing.”
Sirius Blvck stated, “It’s dope to see the evolution of our city’s sound. There’s no bells or whistles or bright lights. There’s something to say about building our foundation here from the ground up, as opposed to already having a ladder to stand on. It’s a community effort in every sense. We find inspiration in the soil.”
Giving credit where it’s due. Bad Dogs album credits:
- Lyrics – Sirius Blvck, Oreo Jones, and Sedcairn
- Produced by Sedcairn
- Bass Guitar – Sharlene Birdsong
- Guitar- Dimitri Morris
- Drums – Pat Okerson
- Additional Production by Oreo Jones, Matt Riefler, and Jonah Crouch
- Engineering, Mixing, Mastering – Matt Riefler
- Cover Art – Julia de Ruvo
- Layout Design – Ryan Hover
And now for some hype for your ears and eyes via the bands’ YouTube channel:
The song that hooked me onto this group, complete with a vintage car meet in Indiana, within the video for the song, “Guitar”:
(All credits and rights to BLESS)
The stage experience in the music club scene with the video for the song, “Heart of Stone”:
(All credits and rights to BLESS)
The slightly fuzzy, old camcorder look for the video to the song, “Fire Over Me”:
(All credits and rights to BLESS)
For my money, BLESS is the best hip-hop collective you haven’t heard of before. At SWT, we don’t gatekeep; we advocate. Always. BLESS is the kind of music that once you listen to, you’re instantly a fan. And Bad Dogs proves why. Building off of This Time I’ll Be of Use, this album is another step forward for the group. The melodies are lush at times, hyper-focused and anthemic at other points, showcasing the talent of each contributor as the styles vary throughout Bad Dogs. The production is top-notch. Kudos to all involved, including but not limited to Sedcairn, Jones, Riefler, and Crouch. The compositions are perfectly orchestrated, featuring beats and instrumentation from Birdsong, Morris, Okerson, and others. The tracks often feature multiple vocals that are seamlessly combined to create a gorgeous listening experience for your ears. Your brain will thank you, too. Each vocalist has a distinct delivery and tone, but there’s no noticeable contrast while listening. It works—every time. There are plenty of earworm-worthy moments and plenty of dance in your living room or wherever you are at moments as well. “Guitar” is one highlight for me, as is the flow on the album closer, “Bright Side of the Sun,” but there are several more on the album. There’s no doubt in my mind that these tracks will sound great live.
Bad Dogs gets 4.5 out of 5 Scum Drops from me, relative to all new releases this year. At years end, this release should remain in the 4.5 Scum Drops range. If this is your first review of SWT, please take a moment to check out our simple rating system here. As noted above, there’s plenty to like about this album, from the lyrics to the beats to the various melodies, and it serves as a fantastic introduction to the group. Listen to yourself, and I think you’ll agree. Add it to your collection on the format(s) of your choosing.
Bad Dogs Track listing (song length)
- Fever Dream (3:48)
- Guitar (3:54)
- Heart Of Stone (3:23)
- When We Go There (3:39)
- Burnt Sky (4:37)
- One Door Closes (00:39)
- None Of This Is Real (2:05)
- Year In Review (00:48)
- Fire Over Me (4:01)
- JUNO (4:32)
- Bright Side of the Sun (3:28)
Total runtime: 34:54
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. The listening process with Bad Dogs will take just over half an hour from start to finish, or approximately an hour if you listen consecutively twice. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, I found the songs highlighted in green font above to be my favorite songs on this album.
For merch, tour info, and more about the group, check out 83155’s website, and follow them on YouTube, Apple Music, Instagram, Facebook, and Bandcamp.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
