Brass “Set & Drift”

Album Reviews | By Adam Coozer on April 13, 2008

Record Label: S/R
Genre: Indie
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Formerly named North Star Infinite, this band has gone with one of those streamlined 90s indie/proto-emo names to match their mathy, cerebral sound.

I’m not always a fan of this sound, but Brass does it well. With unpredictable song structures, fluid one-note-at-a-time guitar picking, and vocal crescendos, they take a perpendicular approach to melody without being abrasively post-punk or emo. They remind me a little of Sunny Day Real Estate, but less angsty.

It’s rare to hear a band in this genre that’s easy to listen to and non-cheesy. It helps that the singer is eerily reminiscent of Michael Stipe.

RATING & SUMMARY:

Bottom Line: Impressive eight-song debut.
Notable Tracks: Autumn Hex Signs, The Optimist, Separate Bodies
Overall Rating: