To: Dave
Love: Adam
Date Sent: 3/24/2020
The Brook & The Bluff – First Place
Release Date: October 25th, 2019
Keeping in mind that there’s a much higher chance you and the family are sharing a lot more time and space together (and quite possibly another guest), I wanted to share a calmer, quieter album that would compliment the situation.
These guys are a nice little mix, as their harmonies kind of put them on the map, but if you grow to like them, their music is pretty crisp too. All four band members sing at times, though the main guy definitely outperforms the other three. Their sound reminds me a bit of Hippo Campus/My Brothers and I.
The first song of theirs that originally caught my ear is track #4, Halfway Up. This was their single from the album, but I feel like it definitely does the job musically. I really enjoy most songs on the album, except I Could Never Draw can GTFO. Listen to Father McKenzie at your own discretion, but honestly, my favorite is Lover’s Rock. That could be a satisfying way to end your experience with The B&B.
A few noteworthy jams are Everything is Just a Mess, Pastels, and Hallways (close second favorite). They do the best of showcasing this band’s talents on a debut, 37-minute album.
Fun Fact: This band was at Cat’s Cradle in February, but unfortunately sold out the same night I was supposed to play a basketball game with my rec league, before the snow hit. Would’ve been cool to see this band early on if they were to blow up one day.
Dave’s Reaction:
As you know, Xtina and I are now obsessed with this band. I just showed them to Rich this past weekend as well and he dug them. Their album is hard to stop listening to and I am happy for them that they had sold out Cat’s Cradle (hopefully the large stage, but I doubt it). The lead singer’s voice is sneaky stunning. He doesn’t go ‘all in’ like he could, but shows that if he did, we would all be soaked. They’re tight music really makes the band jump out to me, as opposed to the first two albums from Tame Impala.
Lover’s Rock is incredible (especially the fucking chorus, damn), but Pastels may be the best song that I have heard in a long time. They actually do a tremendous job of making me want more from each song, which is both addicting and infuriating. Shelby and Halfway Up would be my other favorites as well. I am rooting for this band in an endless sea of mid-twenty-year-old white male alt-rock bands.
The Favorites:
Adam: Pastels
Dave: Pastels