A long-time creator of music of the emo variant, Brandtson made their last EP Trying to Figure Each Other Out more of a venture into a pop-emo sound, a sound that seemed to work well for them. Dial in Sounds is the natural progression from Trying.
The music of Dial in Sounds may seem average at first, but upon repeat listens it will be found that the sound is catchier every time you dial in. The guitar parts are really what make this music so enjoyable. It seems that the right notes and chords are always hit at just the right time. I love it when bands do that! Another thing that Brandtson has going for them is vocal harmony. It seems that almost everyone in the band can sing, which is always a helpful thing. These elements combine together to create a rich, full sound that modern music lovers will find hard to deny.
On Dial in Sounds we also find a lyrical maturity that is uncommon to many bands in this genre. The songs are not angry, depressing, or dark. Rather they are introspective, understanding, and in some cases joyful. As should be expected, the songs focus on relationships, which is the theme of virtually all of the music Brandtson has made. They work well with this theme too.
Though Dial in Sounds is the logical progression from Trying to Figure Each Other Out, it really isn't much of a move at all. On this album, Brandtson has played it safe by staying in the niche they have carved out for themselves. Dial in Sounds doesn't break new ground, but it plays in a field full of rich soil, and as a result has much going for it.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis January 2002Reviewed by Travis PersaudBrandtson strikes again with Dial In Sounds, the follow-up to their EP, Trying To Figure Each Other Out. This is Brandtson's third full-length album, and their fourth release on Deep Elm Records. My expectations for this album were high - very high. After falling in love with Brandtson's last release, an EP entitled "Trying to Figure Each Other Out," the only acceptable thing in my mind would be…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Ken MuellerBrandtson is back with their third full-length disc for Deep Elm and this time the band strays even further from their emo roots, and heads further into the indie-pop realm. Unfortunately, this disc doesn't quite have the strength of either Letterbox or Fallen Star Collection. The disc starts off with an almost Elvis Costello-like "Mark it a Zero," followed by more laid-back and introspective…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Bert GanglDuring the summer of 1996, just as his hardcore band sixfeetdeep was breaking up, vocalist and guitarist Myk Porter joined with drummer and longtime friend Jared Jolley to record a six-song EP. With the addition of fellow sixfeetdeep alum Matt Traxler and bassist John Sayre, the planned EP was fleshed out with four new songs and released on Traxler's own label as the Brandtson full-length debut,…Similar sounding releases
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