Albums

Album Review: Brigade

[Album: Come Morning We Fight]
[Label: Caned & Able Records]

With roots in Suffolk, Bristol, and Japan but based in London there is no surprise that Brigade stand out from the crowd. They boast feisty vocals, dancing guitar riffs and gutsy drumming power. The punch and dynamism is here for all to hear on second album ‘Come Morning We Fight’. They recorded it at Monnow Valley Studio where forces like Led Zeppelin, Biffy Clyro and the Manics have recorded in the past. Employing the skills of Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters and Feeder) and Steve Fallone (The Strokes, TV On The Radio) has obviously been a masterstroke as they have an album here that could propel them firmly into the limelight.

It all kicks off with a blazing, bottom-end guitar riff and a stunning, falling bass pattern that grabs you firmly by the throat while lead vocalist Will Simpson barks his pained vocal in your dial. ‘What Are You Waiting For?’ is a distinctive burning force of Feeder meets Ash. It’s probably the most impressive track on the album, they really are best when they rock hardest, but ‘Pilot’ and ‘Res Head’ aren’t far behind. The former, just released as a single, utilises cleverly interweaving guitar riffs and a thudding, chunkified bass. Both have Simpson’s heart-rendering performance throwing energy and passion into the mix but with the giant hook lyrics of ’Res Head’ he really steps it up a level, comfortable in the delivery.

Since their debut, Brigade have changed drummer with Andrew Kearton taking up the sticks. By Simpson’s own admission the change has made them a more “complete unit”. The extra drumming spice is particularly notable on ‘Slow Dives & Alibis’ where Kearton steadily beats the living daylights out of his snare, changes patterns perpetually, pummels at the pedals and crashes at his cymbals almost sadistically. ‘Four Kids To A Glockenspiel’ shows the band have no fear in employing subtler tactics, and with no lack of imagination they employ a bowed cello and fully integrate it into the song’s complex structure to bring a raw emotion to their music.

The back-end of the album is suspiciously full of weaker tracks like the bizarre instrumental wailing guitar of the title-track and ’Shortcuts’ with it’s disappointing lack of originality. Despite this and that after repeated listens it is noticeable that many of songs are overtly similar to each other, there is enough spark on show to expect big things from the band in the future. They’re currently touring with Fightstar (starring Will’s brother of course) and if that goes well there should be the word “Brigade” appearing on the tips of many industry tongues.

For fans of: Feeder, Ash, Funeral For A Friend
Band Link = Brigade

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