The Brooklyn duo We Are Scientists are a pretty good singles band. And we enjoy their humor — whether in little skits or Nickelback covers. Thing is, they generally put out a good single or two, and then rely on their charm, humor, Keith’s dreamy smile, etc. All of which they have in overabundance. Keith and Chris seem like funny, nice guys. They’ve got charisma! It’s the formula that works well for Foo Fighters, except that Grohl is a legit “writer of radio tracks.” Brain Thrust Mastery, their second album for a major label after 2005′s With Love and Squalor, opens promisingly with “Ghouls.” It’s an intense, brief song with an upward lift, clipped guitar squalls/feedback, processed vocals, a constant percussive tap, and repetitious lyrics (“We all recognize that I’m the problem here”). It shifts perfectly into the poppier “Let’s See It” — not a great song, but a suitably bubbly, sing-a-long chorus. Then, though, we get the undeniable swagger of the album’s infectious first single “After Hours,” which we see as a weird blend of the Strokes and Mister Mister. We think. Some ’80s anthem we can’t place. Anyone? We should know, actually, because we’re already super familiar with that song via its beastiality and Jo Wiley versions. They also played “Impatience,” another of Brain Thrust‘s goodies, that shows up a couple songs later. So far so good.
But then the boy’s blow their load. Come to think of it, the Mister Mister thing, no matter how inaccurate, kinda makes sense. Songs like “Lethal Enforcer” are full on lite-rock. “Lethal” actually has some hook to it (not the Dolby moment toward the end), but then there’s the sweetie-pie ballad “Spoken For” that’ll make the ladies weak in the knees (well, some of them), but despite a central crescendo, doesn’t go anywhere. “Altered Beast,” weighted with heavy buzzed bass, feels like an echo of a half-decent Weezer song. Or, going back to that ’80s pop-radio thing, “Tonight” sounds like the Faint channeling Tears For Fears, but with less eyeliner and hairspray and hooks. Later, songs like the capably boring “Chick Lit” or “Dinosaurs,” drive home the lite thing minus the charisma. Oddly, there’s a lot going on in each song — tons of productions details and sounds — but they more often than not don’t amount to much. Like, maybe when you forget you like the guys making the songs, their output is much less entertaining?
In the end, Brain Thrust Mastery includes mostly pleasant, workable songs with a few duds and a couple really fun singles. Like mediocre radio hits you can’t quite place. Think we’re being harsh? Take a listen to closer “That’s What Counts” and welcome the flash backs to you last visit to the dentist. So, yeah, we’re not sure how much we want to listen to the entire album … but you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll watch those funny videos a few more times.
Brain Thrust Mastery is out in the UK on 3/17 via EMI.
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::crickets::
seriously did anybody ever give a fuck about this band?
I didn’t think anyone would… and am i the only who think that “After Hours” kinda sound like they’ve been trying to pull a “I Still Remember” by Bloc Party… a kinda “big serious indie stadium” sound.
I thought their last cd was great, so I guess I give a fuck about this band.
i loved their last album, it was a lot of fun to listen to.
That last record went gold. I’m guessing a lot of people care(d?).
Aren’t they a trio?
Michael Tapper left the band last year. And let me tell you, they miss his offbeat drumming something bad on this album. Nothing but 4/4 time here.
That said, Keith Murray’s still a decent songwriter, and it’s a pleasant album at least.
When is it out on the US? All I have seen is a UK release date…
I think Michael drummed on the majority of the tracks here actually. I love this band to bits but sadly after listening to the album I think this review is pretty spot on.
What kind of a shitty review is this?
Doesn’t really matter if it’s pro or con. That’s not my point. It’s all self-important babble, stupid pop-cult references and pointless name dropping over and over.
Is this really the way to convey useful info to music lovers? By this bullshit – really bad twenty something writing?
If I paid for this blog, I’d want my money back.
this review is just pathetic. god, can’t you think of better comparisons? this album is good, and this band could shit better songs than weezer could write. the worst thing about this album is the cheezy jazz sound on that’s what counts, which isn’t even that bad, just dorky and adorable.
what a terrible review, comparing the sound of “after hours” with the strokes? are you serious? nothing but lame comparisons and bullshit. Brain Thrust Mastery is a great follow up and definitely a step forward, although losing Tapper is saddening.
Here’s a better comparison, With Love And Squalor and Brain Thrust Mastery. The first album is a lot better in my opinion, while BTM does have a few gems it has a few duds and so-so songs. I miss their type of music they put out with the first one and hoped they did not continue with the sound they had on Crap Attack, it’s too bad that they did. The CD is only average.
It’s like Bloc Party they changed their music so much they lost their raw feel and alienated fans. Seriously Silent Alarm was gold but Weekend in the City.. Not so much. Plenty of my friends hate A Weekend in the City and loved Silent Alarm.
“Michael Tapper left the band last year. And let me tell you, they miss his offbeat drumming something bad on this album.”
Er, he drums on all the tracks on this album…