by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Brother
Album: "Urban Cave"
Year produced: 2003

Right off the bat this band's sound is way different. Track one starts out with an alternative rock feel with a strong Celtic sound popping through every so often, and vocals that are totally reminiscent of Linkin Park. It is melodic and yet has that edgy feel of a band that is exploring a new direction. The sound is moody and catchy all at the same time.

This isn't what I would normally classify as Celtic music, and as it has been lovingly been described as mongrel music because of the combination of influences that the band nods to. Fair enough, these guys aren't Irish or Scots, they are Aussies! They don't pretend to be Celtic, but have enough of that sound to appeal to our listening group. If you are a fan of Celtic rock, Brother should work for you too, it is related enough to grab you.

You'll find a lot here; trumpet, cello, electronic and tribal drums and Didgeridoo, but the band definitely has a modern appeal to it. Their style and instrumentation is basically a collage of those things the musicians came to enjoy over time. What could be a recipe for disaster is instead a real treat for the ears, and an education to new ways of combining sounds. Funny, because although the band sounds like they are breaking new ground, it seems almost as if they are instead making a collage of their favorite musical things from their history, and it is truly on that is well put together.

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Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer specializing in the arts. She has written for Dance Teacher Magazine, Classical Singer and Dance Spirit among others, and reviews music for Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her at www.freelance-zone.com.

Labels: cd_review_2006

Posted by Marc Gunn, Monday, March 13, 2006.
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