Brazil - The Philosophy of Velocity
Rating
RIYL
SpartaMuse
Queen
The Mars Volta
Tracklist
1. Le Fee Verte2. Crime And The Antique Solution
3. You Never Know
4. Vapors
5. Cameo
7. Mr. Mercury
8. Captain Mainwarning
9. A Year In Heaven
10. Interlude
11. Breathe
12. Strange Days
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From the very first moments of Brazil's new album, The Philosophy of Velocity, we're made aware that almost anything is possible as the clicking of typewriter keys - set against a brooding piano melody - transforms into a surprisingly valid means of percussion. Thus begins an exciting and energetic journey into the heart of progressive indie rock, at times reminiscent of Muse, The Mars Volta and even the legendary Queen, but through persistent refusal to sit still and play nice, defies attempts to classify it as mere imitation.
The album's first half blazes past at an authoritative rate, brimming with the urgency and relevance of a speeding 18 wheeler filled with dozens of rabid, musically gifted monkeys. Each nuanced track is made thick with the layers of half a dozen instruments and fluidly harmonized melodies, but are never abstract or difficult to follow thanks to excellent mixing and overall structural straightforwardness. Brazil consistently finds and conquers that precarious equilibrium between catchy, accessible pop music and epic indie rock; listen to the addictive organ-backed chorus of "The Vapors" as it flows into the eerie riffs of "Cameo" and you'll know exactly what I mean. And let's not forget "Au Revior, Mr. Mercury", an obvious homage to Queen and easily the most ambitious song on the album, complete with nostalgia-inducing guitar solos and a brief a capella portion ala "Bohemian Rhapsody".
But alas, despite all this praise, I've managed to find fault, however minor; not with any one thing in particular, because it all works perfectly, but rather with the album as a whole. You see, once removed from my cd player it was somewhat easily forgotten, only to be reinstated by necessity for a well-informed and accurate review. This suggests to me that some small thing is lacking: perhaps that certain essence which, given time and the appropriate set of circumstances, lifts an already great album into "classic" status. Or maybe I just need to give it more time. But I have a feeling that The Philosophy of Velocity may fade into the distance quickly, like a wisp of smoke and without a word. However, this revelation in no way changes the fact that it's a musical experience which demands to be heard. So recognize it for what it is - an incredibly entertaining and engaging album - then let it go and wait with bated breath for the next time Brazil decides to pick up their instruments
and create a work of art.
--Scott Miller
Comments
Columbus, Ohio
Recommending: Anberlin, Interpol, Chamberlain, House of Heroes
Finland
Leeds, England
The Great North Woods
Darla Farmer
RIYL:
the Beatles
Tom Waits
Murder By Death
A Whisper in the Noise
the Blood Brothers
Austin
The Daily Galaxy
An elephant that never forgets...to kill!
Berlin, Germany
1) Breathe 2) Cameo 3)Captain Mainwaring