Album Review: The Belle Brigade Self-Titled Release
By Angel Baker
Los Angeles locals, Barbara and Ethan Gruska form The Belle Brigade and they open strong with their first self-titled release from Warner / Reprise Records. Hailing from musical ilk (father Jay Gruska (long-time songwriter) and grandfather John Williams (Grammy and Oscar-winning film composer) and a city built on creativity (maybe a little familial competition, too), the Gruskas were practically born to churn out good records. The brother sister duo have made a solid, happy folk album a la Simon & Garfunkel or Belle & Sebastian, with a sweet idealism that says, through music, these ought to be simpler times.
On the crunchier side of power pop, The Belle Brigade are at times Melissa Etheridge meets Tom Petty (we can just see “Lucky Guy” in a psychological thriller about a skin wearing murderer) and others a rougher brand of bohemian (e.g. “Lonely Lonely”) channeling Fleetwood Mac (on “Where Not To Look For Freedom”) with impressive results. It’s not often that a buzzed about band delivers the way The Belle Brigade does on most of this record.
There’s is a unique simpatico that maybe only a brother and sister have. (Sisters of brothers wipe those tears away.) The two joke that they have the same personality and it shows with their flawless harmonies. ”Punchline” is a shining example of how one Gruska will let the other quietly be the star but it’s that quiet watching from the background that gives the track extra depth. On the other hand, “Fasten You To Me,” an entirely solo performance by Barbara, doesn’t feel like we’re listening to another band all of a sudden. It plays like The Belle Brigade and is a testament to the strength of their sound. (Think the alternating vocals of Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade.)
The star of the record is the opener, “Sweet Louise.” It’s fun and sweet and right cheerful. A flowery dedication of love from the Rilo Kiley school of adoration, “Sweet Louise” is a hold-hands-shamelessly kind of song. ”Losers” falls closely behind for the title of best track and is the best example of the siblings’ vocals.
The Belle Brigade’s debut is positively pleasant and does not disappoint.
- Watch “Losers” and “Where Not To Look For Freedom” by The Belle Brigade.
- Buy The Belle Brigade on amazon.com for $7.99 (MP3) or on iTunes for $9.99.
Rating: 8/10
Tracklist:
- Sweet Louise
- Where Not To Look For Freedom
- Losers
- Belt of Orion
- Shirt
- Lucky Guy
- Lonely Lonely
- Punchline
- Rusted Wheel
- My Goodness
- Fasten You To Me
