After 2 EPs and 2 studio albums, hardworking Brit rock four-piece Brigade release brand new album ‘Will Be Will Be’. Despite achieving moderate commercial suggest, the band have struggled in recent times to keep the dream alive, with the departure of bassist Naoto Hori just before the summer of 2011 and the need to have fans help fund the latest release in conjunction with PledgeMusic.
The album is homage to the band’s early sounds, such as those that appear on their debut full-length ‘Lights’, with areas of experimentation that are perhaps enforced to broaden the scope for new fans. This could be the last throw of the dice for Brigade, without wanting to sound overly cynical, and opener ‘200 Scratches’ starts with promise, each instrument frenetic with positive energy, but unfortunately this soon falls off and vocals struggle to be heard over the messy riffs, which lack direct intensity. It soon settles into a solid and rhythmic track, but lacks the punch to make it in any way memorable. Already it can be heard what influences filter into Brigade’s sound, with the tones of Muse, distortion of Queens of the Stone Age and melodrama of Smashing Pumpkins.
‘A Heinous Crime With Draconian Consequences’ has a slower start before switching to beautiful heavy guitars, but again the vocals struggle, feeling too weak for the music they accompany. They could do with having a more brutal edge to counteract the guitars, and it would provide an awesome balance, as the melodic chorus offers a delightful change. The drums are superbly executed alongside the thick chords, but more work on layering and harmonies would do this song the world of good. ‘Eden’ immediately has a different feel, with American pop-punk sounds, proving that Brigade blur the boundaries of the alternative rock genre. It’s easy listening, melodic rock, which is safe, but not in a way that makes you want to fall asleep from the levels of boredom. It’s urgent, eager and emotive, with the vocals seeming more suited to this style, the notes soaring rather than falling flat.
‘Adieu’ has a post-hardcore sound, with glorious melodies and astute musicianship. Essentially it’s another pop song, sounding at times like The Cure and at others like it could have strived during the Brit-pop revolution. The album so far doesn’t have misplaced identity, just a lot of different ideas that seem to be struggling to find common ground. ‘The Beating’ is a standard rock song but not much else. It’s utterly forgettable and feels like a light Placebo tribute, with rolling riffs that have no real direction and a repetitive droning chorus. ‘From Nothing Something Comes’ shifts from haunting to pressing, yet feels unimaginative when it gets going. ‘Sting Sting’ judders and builds but never gets where it wants to go. It echoes early Biffy Clyro but aspires to be more than what it is capable of.
‘Laughter Lines’ is a much more subdued affair, and here’s where things start to finally pay off. It shows off the delicate nature of the band when a knack for solid song writing takes centre stage. It’s dramatic, brooding, cautious and intimate, with strings and piano creating a gentle sweeping backdrop. ‘It’s A Mess (If It Ain’t, It’ll Do Till A Mess Gets Here)’ is a positive, uplifting and bouncing track with welcome shifts in tempo and a roaring chorus. It’s possibility the best song on the album due to the lack of complicated ideas and the no-nonsense method in which the simplicity is executed. ‘Tiny Pieces’ continues the high quality with a pulsating song, which builds to a head (in a way that previous songs didn’t). The lyrics have heart and soul and by the time the final track arrives, much of what came before and didn’t work is long forgotten. ‘Find Your Own Way Home’ is a fitting finale, starting with every ounce of energy the band have. Guitars screech, drums pound and progressive rhythms rumble. After almost 3 minutes the song drops into understated mode, showcasing quiet melody with attention to detail. It builds slowly, layers of vocals and instruments simmering with distorted chants, creating a monumental wall of sound that brings the album to an end.
‘Will Be Will Be’ is weak in places but really comes into its own with the final act. It feels lost at times but when it begins to feel like a lost cause it soon finds its feet. Brigade are a band with a lot of potential, but they need to get the right elements into the right places if they have any chance of truly hitting the big time. They need to find a sound that is unmistakably theirs. This album is worth a listen but if you haven’t checked out Brigade, start with the first two albums, as they are a lot more rounded and exciting.
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