BRANDTSON “Death and Taxes EP”
Is this band prolific or what? BRANDTSON drop their fifth release for the U.S. Emo Corp. (har har har), and it slides in nicely into the ever progressing line of the BRANDTSON discography. Jumping forward from the band’s most rockin’ prior full-length, “Dial In Sounds,” this disc sees an ever glossier pop-rock sound, and it’s entirely unavoidable to one’s listening pleasure. The solid, thorough production quality from master-knob-turner Ed Rose adds great heft to BRANDTSON’s lush melodies, and the swift backbone to these six tunes allows “Death and Taxes” to ebb and flow with grace and sincerity. Although I still cling to the band’s rather blatant post-hardcore days of yore, they sure know how to pull off the punchy power-pop sound and it’s a true shame that mainstream attention has eluded them thus far. As usual, the awkward personality of BRANDTON’s lyrics stick like needles into sore veins. I especially adore the prickly opening lines to the fifth track, “Ain’t No Trip to Cleveland,” with the words, “Black coffee cup reflection / I’ve seen the look in my eyes on other peoples faces that I said I never wanted to be like.” Words like those don’t roll off one’s tounge effortlessly, but the imagery is stunning. BRANDTSON continue to stake out their claim on this world, and like the certainty of the aforementioned details in this EP’s title, one will not be disappointed in appreciating this band.
Deep Elm
