Brainerd -
Brainerd (The Goat)Review by John Pegoraro (StonerRock.com)
Zodiac Killer Records
Release date: 2009
If you started Brainerd's self-titled/
The Goat (nobody's really clear what's the correct name) album on track two, as per the label's suggestion, you'd be missing out on “Dracula Marine,” a tightly controlled riff-thrasher that brings to mind either Wrathchild America or the less wonky follow-up, Souls at Zero, and, more importantly, is the indisputable best song on the album.
This also brings to the forefront the slight disparity found on
Brainerd. The better numbers – in addition to “Dracula Marine,” there's also “Blood Money,” “Love Convulsion,” and “Mud” - are more metal than hard rock and are predominantly fast (“Mud” is the exception; it's doom slow, but the unspoken word between “doom” and “slow” is “metal,” so there you go). The other tracks show the band has a knack for modern day riff rock – you'll find at various moments hints of Scissorfight, Greatdayforup, Alabama Thunderpussy, and Halfway to Gone – but it's a minor spark when compared to their more heavier approach.
In lesser hands, it would seem as if the band's feeling its way through an identity crisis (that the band's not even from Brainerd gives additional ammunition to internet armchair critic/psychiatrists), but overall
Brainerd has more working for it than against it. If I would offer any word of caution, it would be to ignore the label's advice and start with track one. After all, “Dracula Marine” alone is worth giving the band a shot.
URL: http://www.myspace.com/brainerd
