You know how most bands that you really like you have probably seen in concert at least once, if not dozens of times. Well I would definitely consider myself a big fan of Brandtson, yet I still haven't seen them live. I don't know if it's just the fact that they don't tour very much, or the fact that I just didn't know when they were on tour, or if they just simply have not come to my area of the United States yet. At any rate for a band that I have yet to see in concert, I totally dig them. For me it usually takes me not only hearing their records, but also seeing them in concert before I fall in love with a band. But in Brandtson's case they already have me hooked, and from what I heard, seeing them in concert will just deepen my feelings for the band. Man it sounds like I'm talking about a girl doesn't it? Well anyway on to this new CD. It's great, what else can I say. I remember hearing from a few people who either heard this CD early, or had seen the band in concert recently, that their new stuff was going to be more mellow, more poppy, more harmonies, etc. After hearing this CD I would say, that yes I agree Brandtson sounds a bit different this time around. Not really anything drastic, just better. They still have their beautifully sung two part melodies, pouring with emotion. The cool thing about this band is that both singers kind of sound alike, and it just makes for cool harmonies, in return creating more melodic songs. Another cool thing is that their one singer also plays guitar, while the other singer plays drums. Yes that's right a drummer who does more singing that just backup vocals, while still keeping a mighty fine beat. Musically this new album reminds me a little bit of a mix between Jimmy Eat World, Jets to Brazil, Mineral, and of course there is still the classic Brandtson sound that is heard on their last full length. There are a few more mellow songs on this CD including, "As You Wish", "Summer In Saint Claire" (which is an absolutely beautiful song), "Fighting Gravity", and "New Favorite Pastime". Not that these songs are "Pedro the Lion mellow", they are just slower, and less aggressive rock than you may be used to hearing from Brandtson. The only complaint I really have is that the first few songs are a bit better than the closing songs, not that the last few songs are not good songs, just not as excellent as the first 7 songs. But then with the last song they kind of bring it all together with a great closer. The song that stood out to me the most is a song called, "Things Look Brighter". This is a straight up pop rock tune with an edge. Don't be thrown off by the keyboard though, yes that's right a keyboard in a Brandtson song. Boy does that keyboard make this song so poppy too, and if that's not enough this song has really cool lyrics too. "She doesn't want to be dead in the water yet she swims out to sea. How long, waited way too long, don't let them fool you. Brave hearted girl goes out to take on the world but comes home crying every time. She turns to me to say I hope tomorrow doesn't feel this way. She's heard about happiness, she's heard about Jesus, she's starving for the beautiful things that people seem to believe in." Yes I would say Brandtson fits into the generic genre we refer to as emo. But if you're one of those kids who are anti-emo, still give this band a chance, they are great. They write great songs that incorporate awesome melodies, deep personal lyrics, melodic vocals, and pure emotion. Basically most of the elements that make for great songs. I highly recommend that you check out this band, and all their recordings. Start by getting this CD.
A
Other coverage for this album
Bandoppler 1999Reviewed by Treble BandopplerAs Fay mentioned in the article she wrote for this issue (Oct), no band seems to evolve as often as Brandtson. If the shock between Six Feet Deep and "Letterbox" was not enough for you, get ready for another striking mutation with "Fallen Star Collection." This album is much less guitar dominated, with a lot more musical diversity and traditional emo elements balancing the overall sound, thinning…Decapolis 1999Reviewed by ConradOne of the only emo bands that I might end up liking. Why? It's poppy. And unlike other emo bands who think there is only response to emotion - whine, Brandtson ranges from standard emo to upbeat happy emo-pop. This album is enhanced by the diversity of songs (slow to upbeat) - BIG PLUS. The creativity of the music is good too. One not so good element is it does have the emo-voice whine thing…Decapolis 1999Reviewed by MarkBrandtson has improved quite a bit since their first album, Letterbox. The music's still in that indie/emo vein, but the songs offer a lot more variety and the musicianship and sound quality is much better this time around. Fans of the aforementioned genres should really like this. BDecapolis 1999Reviewed by TimThis is tiring to me, but the faster songs are very good. It's enjoyable for emo/indie people. CThe Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Joe RockstrohBrandtson is back with their second album for Deep Elm Records, but this is not the natural follow-up to Letterbox. The massive guitar riffs that defined the last album are gone, and Brandtson has also abandoned their post-hardcore sound for indie rock/emo sensibilities, with a decent amount of success. Sadly, the stuff of Fallen Star Collection hardly sounds like the same band that recorded…Similar sounding releases
1999Further Seems Forever / Recess TheoryFrom the 27th State
2003The Jealous SoundKill Them With Kindness
2004Action ToolbeltAction Toolbelt
2003Slow Coming DayFarewell to the Familiar
2004Blue Sky MileSands Once Seas
2001Jimmy Eat WorldBleed AmericanMore from Brandtson
2003Death and Taxes
2002Dial In Sounds
1997Letterbox
2004Send Us A Signal
2000Trying to Figure Each Other Out
