How on Earth do you classify Bracket? They’re not exactly poppy, nor are they emo. An ex-girlfriend of mine classified tham as ‘stoner-punk’ which I reckon is as good a description as any I’ve heard. But one thing is for certain, Bracket are a very under-rated band. At times they have flattered to deceive, but in places, this lot are majestic.
‘E Is For Everything On Fat Wreck Chords’ is a real mixed bag. In places it is blinding, in others it just seems to pass you by. Opener ‘Hermit’ is definetly a blinder. With gravely vocals and carefully strummed guitars, you get the sense of something good just seconds into the song. “I saw sunshine yesterday” so say the band. And this song is certainly a ray of light. Unfortunately the band cannot top this. In a sense it is downhill from here, but to be honest, any band would be hard pushed to continue an album like this.
‘2RAK005’ is another classic. As I’ve said before, it’s hard to pinpoint Bracket‘s influences. They most certainly do not sound like a Fat Wreck Chords band. But with songs as good as this, who gives a monkeys? ‘Speed Bump’ has a psychedelic intro, with some neat layered vocals. ‘WWF’ is a bit more up-tempo, but at this point the vocals just start ed to piss me off. Still, the trademark Bracket melody is still there, with a very simple guitar riff layered on the top.
‘Talk Show’ is a very good song, speeding up for the choruses with some foot-tappingly good drumming. Then the singalong “please
come on to my talk show,” bit kicks in. Very nice indeed. ‘Flea Market’ is a bit average. And it really does sound like it was recorded in a basement. Maybe it was, but it just sounds a bit tinny and flat for my liking. I think that is my Blink 182 influence that is kicking in now…
‘Eating Pie’ starts off like a [spunge] song, but as soon as the vocals begin you know that it is Bracket. But once again, the song is likeable enough but nothing that stands out and smacks you in the face. “My Stepson, has a gun, he shows me his number one.” Hmmm, not very good, huh? Well, ‘My Stepson’ carries on the record’s gradual decline by being, well, very poor. Thankfully, it is also very short. And ‘Envy’ begins with a weird piano and violin intro, before a slow guitar riff starts. Touching, moving and everything else that ends in -ing, it is conventional but it’s rather good. It’s almost a bit like the Beatles. Not necessarily a high point, but significantly better than the last couple of songs.
At just nine songs, ‘E Is For Everything…’ is a bit on the short side. And you do get the feeling that the album isn’t all that amazing, mainly because ‘Hermit’ really is that good. It is a solid record though, if not that in-yer-face. Maybe I’m just being a bit harsh. The vocals are definitely an acquired taste, especially over a whole album. Probably a case of try before you buy, y’never know, you might just like it.
Paul Savage