Listen to "Wish", the first single from Blindshark's debut CD, and you might think you were hearing a new Cure song -- at least at the beginning. When the vocals kick in, the similarities decrease. This in no sadsack Robert Smith, but a more jolly character -- perhaps someone from Lightning Seeds, perhaps a male-led version of Frente or even a jovial Christmas elf. I think "Still" is actually a better track. It's a gorgeous little love song constructed of forlorn lyrics, an acoustic guitar and pulsating drumming on a guitar case. Its simplicity adds much to its beauty, and the fact that it succeeds despite sparse orchestration says much for Blindshark's songwriting talents. The opening track, "Picador", is more electronic, drawing from Depeche Mode, or perhaps A Flock of Seagulls -- particularly in the sinking guitar riff that launches the song. Throughout Widescreen, in fact, there's a subtle new wave flavor. You'll find it in the gently buzzy synth lines and the repetitive melodic figures. "The End" starts out slowly (and oddly enough it actually reminds me a bit of Aerosmith, but only briefly), but if you're not hooked by the time the chorus hits you're simply not human. If I had to vote for a favorite song, this would be it. Other notable tracks are "I Think I'm Falling" and "We Are Young", both of which subtly remind me of XTC. If a good guitar-pop record is still worth anything these days, Widescreen deserves some attention.