Balance and Timing,
Before BrailleNow this is an odd one - an energetic Arizona band releasing a not entirely acoustic CD, inspired by Christmas; although not directly about the festive period. When they're switched on ane electric, Before Braille sound like a very interesting prospect, so much so that UK label YAWA Records picked them up and are scheduled to release a full length later this year. This EP, mixing acoustic tracks with a few heavier ones, was released on Bad News Bear Records late last year and, well, doesn't really whet my apetite for their English debut. From what I gather, this record compared to the upcoming release is like comparing two wholly different bands - which begs the question, why bother?
While tracks like 'Merry Christmas, I'm Cheating' and 'X-Mas' certainly have a Christmas theme, you can listen to them at the end of January and not have too many suicidal thoughts about trees, balls and pudding. Yet this isn't really a Christmas cracker and it takes the bonus tracks to get things going. From what I've heard of the 'real' Before Braille, they're going to be ones to watch this year. But for people checking them out for the first time, this isn't really the greatest starting point. It's just an odd release, plain and simple.
www.beforebraille.com
Paul
