Blonde Redhead reviews: from noise-rock neurosis to dream-pop glow

The Profile

Blonde Redhead are a New York-based trio described in the reviews as consisting of Japanese singer/guitarist Kazu Makino and twin brothers Amedeo and Simone Pace. Reviews depict their early years as Sonic Youth-influenced noise-rock, followed by a shift toward more melodic, ethereal indie-pop/dream-pop with increased use of keyboards and refined arrangements.

From the provided reviews: the band are described as New York-based; members named are Kazu Makino, Amedeo Pace, and Simone Pace; early albums are linked to Sonic Youth influence and Touch & Go, with later releases on 4AD; producer credits mentioned include Steve Shelley (first two albums) and Guy Picciotto (producer of “In An Expression Of The Inexpressible”, per a review).

Across 20 DeBaser reviews, Blonde Redhead are portrayed as a New York-based Italian-Japanese trio led by Kazu Makino with twins Amedeo and Simone Pace, evolving from Sonic Youth-adjacent noise-rock into refined, ethereal indie-pop/dream-pop. “Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons” is repeatedly framed as a key turning point and recommended entry, while “Misery Is a Butterfly” and “23” deepen the softer, arranged sound. Live reports range from “absolutely beautiful” to critiques of backing tracks and reduced spontaneity. Later-era sheen (e.g., “Penny Sparkle”) is praised for elegance by some and rejected as a loss of identity by others.

Notable Quotes

❝ Blonde Redhead is an Italian-Japanese formation, consisting of brothers Amedeo and Simone Pace and singer Kazu Makino, which has proven to be one of the most interesting bands in the noise-rock scene in recent years.

❝ To say they are a unique band is an understatement: 2 Italian-Canadian twins meet a Japanese girl in New York and start making music:

❝ It's impossible, unless you are the usual inescapable nostalgic of the early roughness, to find weak points in an album practically perfect, rightly intelligent, rightly emotional, rightly catchy, where the noise-rock of the beginnings peacefully coexists with the more melodic indie.