REVIEW: Brother/Ghost - Black Ice

8.5 out of 10

Find it here.

Austin TX natives Brother/Ghost cite Low, Fugazi, Slint, Sigur Ros, Dead Texan, A Silver Mt. Zion, Earth, Mt. Eerie, Mogwai, & Xiu Xiu as their main influences. If you like any of those bands as well as Cursive, Gregor Samsa, Autistic Daughters, or "Atmospheric-Gaze Rock" in general you will indeed fall head over heels in-love with Brother/Ghost. "Black Ice", B/G's debut release, was recorded between October 08 to July 09. Currently it is a "name your own price" EP available via the band's website (there is mention of a future 12" release). "Black Ice", IS (also), one of my favorite albums of 2009. ..I'm sitting here with my eyes popped open and jaw dropped while reviewing it (I just listened to it 3 times in a row)..

This album almost feels "ahead of it's time" and I really wouldn't be surprised if this terrific EP goes "unnoticed", I would however be sad (for those of you that missed out). 5-15 years from now people will be looking toward this album as the beginning of a new "era" in "dark" Indie music. If it was at all any form of an "acquired taste" I would say for fans of Eclectic Indie Rock with "dramatic" organ & choral sounds, various orchestrated swells, and never over-bearing, but damn emotional Indie Rock vocals. It's not just "Indie Rock" though, it is a whole new sound, maybe. "Black Ice" begins (and ends) with an epic anthem stating "We've been drinking the water you've been poisoning. We drank ourselves half to death but now were listening" over and over while swells of noise and drone build up. Once track 1 starts the "western" sounding guitar rhythms begin, setting the mood for a catchy, depressing track. The remaining songs build and sway from loud and epic, to relaxing and droney. It's sort of a "Post-Rock" experience, but don't be frightened if that genre bores you. Brother/Ghost make "Post-Rock" interesting again by paying homage to those bands mentioned above, as well as adding their own "flare" of unique/gorgeous/precocious sounds.

Get this album now. It's free, and it's a crime for you to pass up something this good FOR FREE (SWEET EPIC FREEDOM!). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Standout Tracks: ALL. I really like "Baby Sharks Pt. One"..