The Blood Brothers

Item: Crimes
Author: Luke Kruse

Crimes

(2004)

Reviewed by Luke Kruse

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Spotify

Label V2 RecordsDecapolisDecember 2004

experimental noise rock post-hardcore

Hearing The Blood Brothers for the first time is a musical experience that one would be hard pressed to forget. The Blood Brothers are the type of band that demand a reaction, and a band that would also cause parents and small children around the globe to cover their ears in disgust, and exclaim some worn cliche like, "This isn't music!" True, the Blood Brothers dual vocalists Jordan Billie and Johnny Whitney shriek their way through noisy post-punk that upon casual listen could easily be construed as a horrible, chaotic cacophony. However, for those with a tolerance for music with a bit of an edge, The Blood Brothers actually become a band that can be respected for their creativity and talent.

The Blood Brothers are also one of the hardest working bands in the scene. A constant touring schedule and four albums in just four years has the potential to perhaps max out the band's creativity. Fear not, for their newest album Crimes stacks up well against 2003's colossal Burn, Piano Island, Burn. On Crimes, The Blood Brothers have balanced their usual breakneck tempo a bit and found some place for some slower choruses and experimentation. Still, this is certainly not The Blood Brothers' "sellout" record, as the songs are still about the last thing I would ever expect to hear on any mainstream radio station. I personally find the occasional slow down to be a welcome reprieve, as they keep the album from being simply too much noise to take in.

This album may not be quite as exhilarating as Burn, Piano Island, Burn but the album features some creatively outstanding songs with absurd, yet memorable lyrics. The plodding bass line in the opener "Feed Me to the Forest" flows seamlessly into the second track and scorching lead single, "Trash Flavored Trash," a song every bit as intense as anything the band has ever done. Other highlights include the absurdly high vocals on "Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck" singing the simple chorus, "Love, love, love, love, love, love" and the keyboard breakdown in "Peacock Skeleton With Crooked Feathers."

With imitators (Showbread, I'm looking at you) already popping up, The Blood Brothers have solidified their standing as one of the truly unique and creative, albeit difficult, bands to listen to with Crimes. If you can get past the shrieking, it is one heck of an album. The pastel packaging is killer, too. This album is perhaps the best "heavy" release I heard in 2004. Go pick up Crimes and enjoy annoying your family and neighbors while you soak in the sounds of this outstanding album loudly on your stereo.

3.5/4