Chris Laufman, Wise Blood’s brainchild and singer, writes and records all the music by himself. From Pittsburgh, Laufman makes no secret of his lofty ambitions for creating amazing music. Formerly a gravedigger, his lyrics border on the line of morbid at times, but he manages to pull off a lighthearted feel throughout the EP.
Laufman’s true genius lies in his ability to take samples from other recorded material, but he twists and turns them so much until they are almost unrecognizable to most listeners. He then sings over the samples in a falsetto that makes hair stand on end at times. Anyone who has tried to create a simple beat using a computer program will be impressed by Laufman’s programming wizardry.
Wise Blood’s live show sounds almost nothing like the recorded material. Incorporating a drummer and a DJ of sorts, Laufman takes to the stage like a wild man, often taking his shirt off and jumping into the audience. His live singing differs greatly as well. Instead of the almost serene falsetto he uses on the album, Laufman almost raps his lyrics live, giving an entirely different live experience.
This EP is a must have for any fan of sampled music, a la Girl Talk, or just anyone who enjoys good music that doesn’t happen to be played on the radio across the country. Give it a listen.
