So, after a few years hiatus, Craig’s Brother are back. CB were one of the first skate punk bands I ever got into, picking them up through the Tooth and Nail compilations. I eventually ended up buying MxPx, Hangnail and Ace Troubleshooter records, before finally buying ‘Homecoming’ in 2001. That was a record that was sadly hit and miss – one minute it was blinding, the next it was very much a miss. But then for one reason or another the band called it quits – until now…
The appalling named ‘E.P.demic’ is the bands return to the spotlight, having released this CD on Takeover Records. Many elements of the old CB remain, and none more so than the trademark vocals of Ted Bond. If anything, however, the band would appear to have slowed down a little, making the guitars plod along at times. Indeed, most of this record is mid-paced and sounds a bit samey. It’s certainly not the return to form I was hoping for.
Ted reminds me, vocally anyway, of a punk Michael Stipe. It’s perhaps why their version of ‘Losing My Religion’ worked so well. The vocals on this EP are probably more like the REM frontman than ever before, which gives them a really strong point to start from. Sadly the songs really don’t hold much sway for me. I’ve literally had this EP on all day, non-stop, and none of the songs really stand out. ‘10,000 miles’ is ok and ‘Bad Marriage’ arguably the pick of the bunch, but it’s the closing ‘Flag Down’ which kind of spoils things for me – it’s just a track that does nothing for me at all.
I did have high hopes for this release, but sadly Craig’s Brother has returned with a whimper rather than a bang. Let’s hope the full-length, if they go ahead with one, makes more of an impact.
www.craigsbrother.net
Takeover Records
Paul