By Adam Bowman

Blackbird is a band who's got the right idea of what is going on with their music. Their heavy-hitting guitar mixes well with vocals that are aware of the world's current state. Cliff Cunningham, Tracy Rojas, Jason Gray, and David Fidrych are a solid team, although some may find their music bordering on repetitive.

"Cruise Control" is the best example of a Blackbird: vocals drenched in chorus, distorted guitars rumbling the entire way, and a rhythm section that is tight via a decade's worth of experience. The band even goes as far as to implement elements of Tom Morello for the funk metal of "Gods Must Cry" and Zack de la Rocha's all-viewing social eyes for "Sin Ti".

Talent is not in short supply in Blackbird, as Tracy has serious lead chops, while Cliff has brief moments of Cornell-ism in his voice. Overall, the ability and the ideas are in place. The only thing truly standing in Blackbird's way of stardom lies in the execution.