Ball of Wax 43 Songs: Darryl Blood – Mint

Longtime Ball of Wax contributor Darryl Blood returns with “Mint,” a big, classic rock-y number punctuated by some nifty lead guitar lines. The lyrics, which culminate in the chorus “don’t come to my defense unless you’re mint,” are a bit inscrutable (there’s a line that goes “I’m saving all my best tracks for my box set” that I like a lot) but Blood delivers them with raspy gusto. Some creative arrangement choices, like an unexpected harmonica solo at the midway point followed by a mini vocal breakdown, make “Mint” deserving of a close listen or two. It’s a clever, well-produced track and a welcome addition to ye olde Ball of Wax.