Brigade - Come Morning We Fight

by Pete Charles

"You're probably not ready for that yet...but your kids are gonna love it."

"Having grudgingly cast off the armour of cynicism and assumed an emo’s eye view of ‘Come Morning We Fight’, we find that, rather annoyingly, we’re starting to like these doe-eyed mooks."

When My Chemical Romance went from weedy, slightly gothic looking punk rockers to chart behemoths and the official voice of the 00s disaffected youth, the rock community took a bit of a jolt. Slayer fans in the crowd at the 2006 Reading festival were combing the froth out their beards for weeks after seeing MCR come on AFTER their satanic idols. Truth be told, hard rock is past its sell-by date and these days, it’s perfectly acceptable to carry a Flying V and a pair of hair straighteners in the same overnight bag.

If it wasn’t, then trashing this debut album from London quartet Brigade would be as easy as taking candy from a baby. It would be hugely ignorant to view the record simply as a bastardisation of all that is good and pure in heavy rock, instead of holding it firmly in its modern musical context. What can’t speak can’t lie; recent single ‘Pilot’ is vaguely reminiscent of MCR’s ‘Helena’ and has that whole tearful break-up feel to it that is sure to your get that heavily applied eyeliner running in no time. In terms of plain catchiness, you can’t fault ‘Together Apart’ and ‘Shortcuts’ is a bonafide pop-rock giant of a song that has ‘hit single’ written all over it.

In fact, having grudgingly cast off the armour of cynicism and assumed an emo’s eye view of ‘Come Morning We Fight’, we find that, rather annoyingly, we’re starting to like these doe-eyed mooks. They’ve got a good song formula worked out to the point where there’s no need for them to attempt anything too flash. There’s always a catchy chorus round the corner, heartfelt vocals and an obligatory ballad in ‘Four Kids To A Glockenspiel’.

Let’s not get carried away though. Noisy boys with guitars are in abundance, but like chewing gum, they’re nice and fresh for about ten minutes before you realise they’ve served their primary function and you’re no longer interested. McFly have survived on their boyish charm and ready wit and MCR’s bittersweet tales of angst afforded them god-like status in the minds of teenage girls, but just what have Brigade got to offer what is sure to be a download-happy and easily distracted fanbase? For their sake, let’s hope they’re not given the proverbial death sentence that is the title of “Next Big Thing.”
fletchy fletch fletch said on May 7th 2008 [report abuse]

First album was exactly the same. Thought you'd hate it but ended up liking it.

noodles said on May 8th 2008 [report abuse]

"If it wasn’t, then trashing this debut album from London quartet Brigade would be as easy as taking candy from a baby" Debut? Surely Lights (2007) was their debut album. At least do some basic research!

Maria said on May 12th 2008 [report abuse]

That actually has to be the worst review I have ever read. And I am not just saying this because I am a fan of the mighty Brigade. But because it is badly written, mis-informed (debut is Lights), talks more about My Chemical Romance than the band you are meant to be reviewing, suggests the fans are "download happy and easily distracted" when in fact I can tell you the fans of this band are some of the most dedicated fans in the business.

Maria said on May 12th 2008 [report abuse]

contd. And to be honest you are what I call a "Schizophrenic Jornalist" because one minute you are singing their praises next you are battering them down. Find a happy medium. And don't even get me started on the "doe-eyed mook" comment.

I'llBeYourEmergency said on May 12th 2008 [report abuse]

Sorry but that's quite possibly the worst review I've ever read! Facts are wrong, comments are neither one way nor the other and what the hell do they have to do with MCR and McFly?!...oh and there's nothing emo about Brigade

Steve said on May 13th 2008 [report abuse]

This review is utterly terrible, how did this imbasile get a job! it really fucks me off how this idiot clearly knows nothing about the band brigade by firslty comparing them to the likes of MCR and McFly! if the word emo was even uttered to Will simpson he wouldnt be best pleased!....Newnoise.net.....get this tit fired!!

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