We Are Scientists
Brain Thrust Mastery
Virgin Records
By Kevin Hakansson
A sense of humor can be a valuable weapon in the touch and go music business. If your career fades into oblivion overnight, hey, at least you’ve got your wits, right? Judging from the content that’s been cranked out during We Are Scientists’ career, they’re not about to start taking themselves too seriously. Oh, and their new record ain’t too bad either.
We Are Scientists made their first impression on the world with their 2006 Virgin Records full-length With Love and Squalor. Featuring the single “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt,” what was really noticeable about the record was its cover where each member of the band held a cat over their own face. The trio’s lighthearted nature carries over to their new record, the quizzically titled Brain Thrust Mastery.
Once a trio of vocalist/guitarist Keith Murray, bassist Chris Cain, and drummer Michael Tapper, Brain Thrust was recorded with what WAS considered a duo. Tapper left the band last year, and Murray and Cain have since tapped a string of replacements. Murray and Cain manage to continue what they did on Love and Squalor, though. After being greeted by an album cover featuring the two passed out on another, dolled up in fancy duds, listeners are greeted by a beginning to the record that‘s auspicious, to say the least. After the soaring intro track “Ghouls,” WAS present the record’s two finest songs right up front. “Let’s See It” leaves no wonder why the record debuted at #11 in the UK; like many of the tracks to follow, this one celebrates ‘80s new wave pop, conjuring Morrissey a bit.
Brain Thrust’s first single is “After Hours,” seemingly the song that gave the terrific album artwork its theme. Fortunately, the correct song was chosen to be the single. Murray croons over a dreamy backing of light drums, acoustic guitar, and a string arrangement. It’s by no means the album’s most exciting, but there’s little debate that it is its best.
The ‘80s feel is a popular theme throughout much of the record. “Lethal Enforcer” sounds like it may have been lifted from A Flock of Seagulls’ catalog, while the fuzzy bass and reverb laden drums of “Tonight” place it in the same category. However, on several tracks, We Are Scientists take that retro sound and modernize it a bit. A little more vocal distortion might give “Impatience” a Strokes comparison, while “Chick Lit” cranks out the type of modern dance-rock that the like Bloc Party and LCD Soundsystem have made a killing perfecting.
We Are Scientists certainly have a few things going for them. First of all, their new record is bursting with the type of club-friendly rock that’s met relative popularity so far this decade. Secondly, that sound proves itself versatile, as evidenced by the beautiful “After Hours” and the pseudo punk “Dinosaurs.” Perhaps most important, though, is the comical visual element they aren’t afraid to lean on, evidenced by the liner notes featuring Murray and Cain cavorting with a pair of, umm, older women (not older like your grandmother, more like the aunt you feel a little uncomfortable around). Venture over to their official website, and you’ll find one of the most offbeat, funny sites of its kind. A solid rock band with a pronounced sense of humor; here’s hoping that the public at large take notice.
|
