Review Summary: Dreamy, easy listening and most importantly beatiful
The Brian Jonestown Massacre are a band that traveled trough many genres, always firmly relying on masters of the genre they were playing. They were also pretty successful at times. This time, TBJM made a bit more original album. And although some songs on the album can be connected with some other bands (Open heart surgery, The Cure) album stands on it's own. And it stands very solid.
Opening song is "Just for today" which sounds like Oasis but much more soulful and honest. Starts with simple but mysterious chords combined with classic blues/rock vocals and builds up towards the end with heartbreaking lyrics such as "How long/did she say/she's been dying/now she's gone". It's a beautiful song and it introduces the album perfectly.
"Telegram" continues the mood created by the opening song. It feels like a letter for a person from your past, realizing what she meant to you after years of life lessons and pain. It really sounds personal and honest and that's the thing that makes this album so good.
"Stolen" is a short storytelling song about a mysterious girl with "The prettiest face" that Newcombe "somehow knows he'll never see her again". In the end he somehow feels like yelling "Brokenhearted" and this song seems to be least solid song on the album. It's 1:30 minutes long though, so it doesn't make much harm.
"Open Heart Surgery" is another slow, dreamy song that is so simple and yet so beautiful. "Nevertheless" is a bit more tense than the previous songs but it still has probably the most qouted lyrics of the album: "breaking your heart". "Sailor" sounds just like it's title. Dreamy vocal melodies that will make you feel like you're "sailing a ship across your sea" which are the opening lyrics of the song.
"You Have Been Disconnected" has a nice guitar riff hidden under waves of keyboard arpeggis. "Leave nothing for Sancho" once again sounds just like the title. With desperado-ish acoustic guitar riff and slow pumping drum beats. "You're like candy to me/candy so good" says Anton Newcombe on "Let me stand next to your flower" which is most rocking song on the album. And it's not any worse than the rest of the album at all. Two closer tracks "If I Love you" and "I love you" are probably the weakest moments of the album. With cheesy vocals and lyrics. It's a shame for a such a perfect album not to have a perfect closer but record remains in the same mood to it's very end and that's what's most important.
Bravery Repetition and Noise is more about dreamy, relaxed feeling than about perfectness of the songs. It's also touching and it's honesty is very admirable.It's an album for everyone. For indie lovers, classic rock fans, or even for a pop enthusiasts.
