Damon Albarn once said that bands like Travis are like cheese on toast: its not bad to have every now and then, but its not something you want every day. And while bands like Travis, Coldplay and Starsailor all aim for the heart with their songs, the same can be said for another British easy-listening indie outfit, Budapest. Although theyre quite unknown, Budapest should be receiving the same success that the aforementioned bands have all seen recently. Their debut album, Too Blind To Hear, is every bit as romantic and heartfelt as Coldplays impressive debut or Starsailors over-hyped opus. Unfortunately there isnt anything about Budapest that makes their music an interesting listen. Each song is a light ballad that sounds like the previous, or next, track. It becomes such a problem that the band seems to notice it themselves. On "Time, singer John Garrison repeats, "And Im trapped again, obviously pointing out that he has a problem with writing the same song over and over. Its right when the last song, "Nothing New, kicks in that you notice that these guys really arent kidding about their music, and thats what makes this record such a laugh.
(Easy Street)Budapest
Too Blind To Hear
BY Cam LindsayPublished Apr 1, 2002