Candy Coated Kerosene

What do The Blood Brothers have in common with Modest Mouse?

My intended connection still remains in the hands of fate, since it requires that Young Machetes does for The Blood Brothers what Good News… did for Modest Mouse. However, if Johnny Whitney is correct in his assumption that songs off Machetes contain viable radio play, The Blood Brothers will join Modest Mouse as a band, once deeply embedded in the underground music scene, now violently sucked to the surface of the mainstream.

Will they survive the nitrogen bubbles once they reach the surface? You bet your sweet ass they will. This five piece of hyper-talented, spit in the face of the almighty dollar, youth are nearing the status of prolific, and they’re not letting some faceless kroq dj feed them to the lions. Their machetes are sharp, and Jordan and Johnny are about to “set fire to the face on fire!”

This post has been in the works for about two months now. The section above was written at the beginning of August, after reading an MTV interview with Johnny Whitney, and before hearing any of Young Machetes. Presently I'm not sure if my prior thoughts are relevant, since I've yet to hear "Laser Life" on any major media outlet; however, we'll see how the record sells this week. Most importantly the record is breathtaking, and let me tell you why:

Young Machetes is a continuation of the Blood Brothers' sparse, percussion-driven sound that originated on the band's previous effort, Crimes. Much of this is due to John Goodmanson staying onboard as producer, and the arrival of Guy Picciotto, also in the producer's seat. The album also keeps in step lyrically with all other Blood Brother releases - a collage of post-modernity nightmares, set to verse. While these similarities with Crimes could work against Young Machetes, the album is a testament of a band, in their creative zone, putting out great music.

The first single off of Machetes is "Laser Life." With it's groove inducing piano riffs, and rather pleasant chorus, "Laser Life" actually has a good chance of breaking into mainstream media. The Blood Brothers last attempt at a single, "Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck," fell pretty flat ( despite my love for the song), so anything is possible. Either way it is a very strong "pop" song, with a waterfall drop ending.

Some of the highlights on the album are "Camouflage, Camouflage" and "Lift the Veil, Kiss the Tank." The former begins with an aggressive vocal assault, until suddenly the floor gives out, leaving my eardrums floating in zero gravity. In this semiconscious state, a muffled piano introduces Johnny's crooning seranade, and together the pair lead me through a hazy evening in the city, in search of the other band members. Finally, the five piece is reunited and a cold chill runs down my spine. The Blood Brothers have broken new ground with "Camouflage," and my life is better because of it. The latter, "Lift the Veil..." is more straightforward, but is the most infectious track on the album.

I had the distinct pleasure of working on the set of their video for "Set Fire to the Face on Fire," and I can happily report that they were about the nicest humans I have ever met. Worked hard, never complained and made me laugh all day. What more could you ask for?

Please buy this album! Click here

[mp3] The Blood Brothers - Laser Life