Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
sounds like: elliot smith's early material mixed with a touch of modern rock marketability - Alternative Press
Punk is dead, especially for Andrew Heilprin (a.k.a. blue-eyed son), who recently exited pop-punk newcomers 40 watt domain, acoustic guitar in hand. Heilprin ventures into Elliot Smith territory on West Of Lincoln, trading punks excited torrent for smooth melodic sailing. His breezy voice surfs gentle acoustic waves throughout the disc, translucently shimmering like Jeff Buckley's (sans flamboyance) or soothing like Nick Drakes.
Heilprin comes to terms with himself across the catchy chorus of "Self-fulling Prophecy," with it's Sebadoh-like guitars and alternapop melody. "When I Come Home" bounces like McCartney's part on "A Day In The Life," making it so catchy that it's easy to miss Heilprin's realization that "everyone gets burned, eventually."
By the end of Lincoln, it easy to question whether singer/songwriter folk is the real post punk.
-Kory Grow - CMJ
Combining warm vocal melodies with laid-back pop song structure similar to the (post acid) Beatles, West Of Lincoln features a haze of modern melancholy draped across the vintage British pop-rock format...this disc has the potential to be well received in the U.S.
-Scott Perham - Music Connection
Say what you want about Elliot Smith, but there is a place in this world for his music. And the truth is that smith's death freed up a lot of bruised heart space-space to be filled by the likes of Blue-Eyed Son. Backed up by Elliot Smith's former drummer, Blue-Eyed Son manages similar strains of warmth and sadness, but with the bands own sweet little twist - Transworld Snow Boarding
**** four stars - Tracks Magazine
Blue-Eyed Son's West of Lincoln is a return to classic song writing, complete with beautiful melodies and searching lyrics. Lead singer Andrew Heilprin has earned his chops surfing and traveling the world, encountering musicians and tales along the way all of which have put their stamp on his debut record. Aided by Rusty Logsdon (eels, Scapegoat Wax), Doug Boehm (Guided by Voices, The Vines) and Scott McPherson (Elliott Smith), Blue-Eyed Son has built an album upon a bevy of acoustic guitar strumming, building pianos, an assortment of strings and the Venice resident's achingly honest words. - Brandon Perkins
If you live near the beach and don't have a copy of this record then you are missing out. Influences from Elliot Smith to Jack Johnson create an interesting vibe on this CD, one part sad, one part optimistic. I heard him on Grey's Anatomy this season and was hooked. - Jamie
Discography
West Of Lincoln (LP)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Andrew Heilprin has removed his sonic surf smoke punk sunglasses to reveal this Blue-Eyed Son. Former front man for 40 Watt Domain, Andrew's musical focus has shifted gears into a stripped down, acoustic orchestration. On June 1st, Andrew's manifestation was released to the world, in the form of Blue-Eyed Son's West of Lincoln.
So what exactly is West of Lincoln? Well, the ocean is. Lincoln Boulevard splits Venice, California into two parts and that is where Blue-Eyed Son's inspiration can be found: deep in the big blue. Heilprin spent a lifetime and continues to spend it in the salty water and on the hot sand. From surfing on the UCLA competitive squad to stopping twice on his 130-mile round trip commute to "a big editing job for The Matrix" just to catch some waves, Heilprin spends a fair share of his time on the beach.
He’s also spent time in the studio and on stage. 40 Watt Domain had spots on the Vans Warped Tour appearing with Rancid, Blink 182 and the like, as well as headlining CMJ at CBGB's. Their blend of surfing punk rock (all smoked out, of course) has graced everything from MTV's Undressed to EA Sports' Supercross 2000. But Andrew found himself increasingly happy with the music that he was making as an individual, something he called "Drew's special show for one."
Quickly his catalogue grew to over 50 songs, especially after a trip to Hawaii and Volcano Records. But a laptop liability leading to losing everything left Andrew with just a four-song demo. But the demo was enough for Andrew to land at Los Angeles' Eenie Meenie Records (also home to Irving, Seksu Roba and From Bubblegum to Sky). His long, strange trip: from the beach to The Matrix to the beach to computer failure to the beach will end (or just begin again) when he arrives at his starting point: West of Lincoln.
West of Lincoln, Blue-Eyed Son's first full-length, draws on a wide variety of influences but still manages to be as unique as any imaginative child's sand castle masterpiece. With engineer help from Doug Boehm (The Vines, Elliott Smith), and production and musical contributions from Rusty Logsdon (EELS, Scapegoat Wax), Blue-Eyed Son crafts a distinctive sound that has the pop sensibility to land on mainstream and college radio.
Building on the back of Andrew and his acoustic guitar, Blue-Eyed Son's songs are layered with inspired piano playing and an up tempo set of kicks and snares that'll make a person get out of bed in the morning. However, other songs slow the pace and allow Andrew's voice to take its deserved stage. West of Lincoln is an album whose pace rises and falls with the tide, leaving the mark of an indelible listening experience. The release of Blue-Eyed Son's debut album will truly be the starting point for a picture perfect day at the beach.
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