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    Decapolis 2000/Brandtson
    Brandtson — Trying to Figure Each Other Out cover

    Brandtson

    Trying to Figure Each Other Out

    (2000)

    Reviewed by Chris

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    Label Deep Elm RecordsDecapolis2000
    emoindie rock

    This 6 song EP is good; not great, but good. Musically there's nothing wrong with it, they sing in key, they play their instruments well, the harmonies work...but for the most part it's also not very interesting. The first four songs all have the same basic problem: they are all melodically boring. The vocals are primarily the same couple of notes with the same harmony behind them. The songs don't build up to anything, they just start, stay the same, then stop. Nothing wrong with them except that they don't hold your attention at all. Then we come to the fifth song, "Grace Thinks I'm A Failure." Now THIS is a good song. Lyrically boasting such lines as "She said that I'm a shining star in her sky, and I feel that far away," and "Some things you learn from hurting yourself, some things you learn from hurting someone else." Vocally the melodies and harmonies are much more catchy and intriguing than the other stuff on this record; you can hear a lot more passion in the singing as well. The sixth song is slower and different from the rest; again not an amazing song but better than the first four. All in all, any Brandtson fan should pick up this EP if for no other reason than the fifth song; non-Brandtson fans probably won't be converted by anything on this one. Definitely worth the listen, though, either way.

    C+

    Other coverage for this album

    Decapolis 2000Reviewed by Tom BastianThis brand new EP from Brandtson starts out with what is probably my favorite song from this band yet, "Sic Transit Gloria (Glory Fades)". Probably most easily classified as a driving rock song with incredible dual vocals (the best Myk and Jared have sounded together yet), as well as dual guitars that just help to make this song an instant classic. This EP reminds me how much this band should be…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by MarkI'm personally not a fan of this genre but despite that, I think this EP is really well done. It is Brandtson's best sounding recording yet and has a good mix songs that rock and songs that melt your heart (in a Jimmy Eat World kind of way). Myk's voice has come a long way since his days in a popular Cleveland hardcore band whose name I won't mention. He can certainly croon with the best of them.…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by JamesI had many random thoughts while listening to this album. During the first two songs, I found myself looking at a mixed crowd of thrift-store sweater clad, black-rimmed glasses types bobbing in the midst of what I like to call "TRL teens". In other words, this album kicks off with a great coupling of mentally engaging arrangements and straight-up ear candy. Very nice... thumbs up so far.…

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