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    HM Magazine #86/Brandtson
    Brandtson — Trying to Figure Each Other Out cover

    Brandtson

    Trying to Figure Each Other Out

    (2000)

    Reviewed by The Kern County Kid

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    Label Deep Elm RecordsHM Magazine #86November/December 2000
    emoindie rockpower pop

    This emo-tagged band has gone a long way to further launch themselves into the pop genre. While some of the chiming guitars recognizable from their debut album are still there, the harmonious vocals here put this right in the pack with bands like The Juliana Theory, Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, and even Foo Fighters. The infectious grooves and pop hooks here are so commercial that this band is likely to garner more female fans than boy. (Talk about coming a long way since the hardcore days of Six Feet Deep!) All 28 minutes and 44 seconds of this disc all seem to be vying for that most memorable hook. Well, except maybe the hidden track, "As You Wish," which meanders around electronic blips with some mellow jamming.

    Lyrically, the band has stayed consistent with the overall theme here -- boys and girls trying to figure each other out, which is further pointed out by the picture of a girl on the front and a boy on the back. This distorted pop music makes a perfect soundtrack for any boy-girl scenario (breakup, boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, all that). I think I'll cry (and like it).

    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.…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by ChrisThis 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…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by thOrNOh no here goes thOrN on another emo rant... Yes this needs to be in DEAD... why? because if you know your band history you would know that two of the members of Brandtson (Myk Porter and Matt Traxler) were members in Six Feet Deep one of the original Christian hardcore bands. Yes SFD was a good band but every song ended up sounding the same with the same drumbeat. SFD went emo on the second…

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    Also in HM Magazine #86

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