I picked up this album knowing absolutely nothing about the band. The description of their music sounded interesting so I gave it a go. And I was pleasantly surprised. Although not going to win any awards or capture a mass audience, it is a great example of the influence of college rock of the 80s (Husker Du and Pixies especially) and the early 90s alternative scene ("Don't Take Me To Space (Man)"). Ripping through 12 songs (13 if you count the "hidden track") in about 35 minutes, the brakesbrakesbrakes cover their spectrum of influences from 80s brit-pop ("Do You Feel the Same") as well as the 90s Blur/Oasis sound ("Oh! Forever") while incorporating the punk-pop choruses of bands like the Replacements. They even try out a little alt-country in a couple of the songs but more in the vein of the early acts such as Uncle Tupelo and early Ryan Adams. A great little album that will go unheard by a generation (aka mine) raised on a steady diet of alternative rock.
3.6/5.0
Standout tracks: "Don't Take Me To Space (Man)" "Oh! Forever" "Crush On You"
All albums should have hidden tracks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this one.