Brahms is a band. Complete with stereotypical black and white photographs of the band members sipping cappuccino and sucking on cigarettes, a brand new demo, and a short list of upcoming shows. Unfortunately, at least for me, they aren’t particularly unique. I did enjoy their demo, but it sounds like every other band that Urban Outfitters plays in their stores. Pleasant to listen to while shopping, but not interesting enough that you would ask the cashier who it was.

I’m not really a fan of bands whose vocals shrink behind almost overbearing background music. I like hearing the words rather than having to rewind and listen so that I can make them out. And while the background music is really good, almost cheery, after listening to it a few times you figure out that the lyrics are poetic enough that you wish you’d understood them the first time around.

In the end, I really like this band. I really do. I’m just disappointed that they are like every other band that I also like. I feel like Brahms has the potential to be really awesome, but right now they just don’t stand out. And in a world where bands can be absolutely terrible but amazingly successful just as long as they are different (think Black Eyed Peas), they will certainly be lost in the sea of all of the other good but ordinary bands.

This band started in late 2009 so that Cale Parks, the vocalist, could expand on the live performances of his solo work. Evidently, they liked their new sound and they debuted four hours into the New Year at their studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The band will be playing a few more shows in the coming weeks, so go and see what you think about them for yourself. They are also offering a free download of their demo, available here.

Upcoming show dates:

1/22 – Glasslands, Brooklyn, NY w/ Telepathe, Boy Crisis, Apache Beat & Grandchildren

2/8 – Glasslands, Brooklyn, NY w/ Javelin & Lemonade

Hit them up on their fresh new sites:

www.myspace.com/brahmsisaband

www.facebook.com/?filter=nf#/pages/BRAHMS/230294439105

www.twitter.com/brahmsband

Filed Under:
Album Review, Download, New York