Customer Reviews

Brain Thrust Mastery

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This new record isn't the We Are Scientists we were used to. The band has really grown and developed their sound. There are not many bratty pop songs compared to past releases, but rather many brooding, moody tracks... Much more complex as well.

At first the new sound was jarring, but over time it's really grown on me, and that's usually a sure sign that an album has legs. The melodic hooks are still there, the punchy drums remain, they're just steeped in a lot of additional sounds and riffs. Some tracks like 'Let's See It' still start with a strong catchy guitar run, but the vocals are more sing-songy.

There is more of a synthpop influence in the music as well. Something along the lines of a happier New Order with a bit of The Smiths in the melody. Tracks like 'Lethal Enforcer' are straight up new wave.

'Brain Thrust Mastery' is an excellent deviation from the mainstream, and a sign of even greater things to come.

Upon buying the latest We Are Scientists cd, I had only watched a few of their hilarious music videos on YouTube. I really liked the songs so I decided to buy the cd. I am glad I did as the whole cd is awesome. I love each and every song. It's is not a cd where you have to skip the occasional song. I have since then purchased With Love and Squalor as well. I highly recommend Brain Thrust Mastery! You will not be disappointed!

After listening to Brain Thrust Mastery, I've decided I like With Love & Squalor better. There are still some good songs, but overall I think this one was a little over-produced. I prefer the more raw, energetic and aggressive With Love & Squalor.

With Love and Squalor is one of the few albums that I've actually bought in recent years, with no regret whatsoever. Didn't take many listens for that album to grow on me; WAS had a sound that, although a bit repetitive, worked very well. But I'm the type of person that hesitates to listen to later efforts by bands that I really like, so I didn't immediately buy Brain Thrust Mastery when I heard of its release. It might've taken me a couple of months even, I don't remember, but the fact of the matter is, I did end up buying WAS's third album eventually. I can honestly say that this was a more worthwhile purchase for me than WL&S. Why? Because I think WAS showed great signs of maturity on this album. Many bands experiment with different styles and sounds with their later releases, often leaving most of their fans disappointed (I can't tell you how many times I've been disappointed), but this is an example of the opposite (IMO, at least).

I personally know a few people who can agree that although WL&S was a great effort by WAS, many of the songs sound too similar. Despite that, it's still an awesome album, but that all-too-familiar sound wouldn't fly in another release. They may not actually be scientists, but Keith, Chris and Scott were smart enough to know that, so they left their static post-punk formula behind to explore other indie sounds, and they did it very successfully, IMO.

Bottom line, if you loved WL&S, and wish to hear a more mature, experimental WAS, you MUST get Brain Thrust Mastery. 4.5/5

Most Recommended Songs:
Impatience
Lethal Enforcer
After Hours
Tonight
Chick Lit
Dinosaurs
Ghouls

When you're a cult band with a critically acclaimed but low selling major label debut, the first words heard on your sophomore album probably should not be "We all recognize that I'm the problem here." But then again, new wave revivalists "We Are Scientists" aren't working on the usual formulas. It makes the nerdishly titled "Brain Thrust Mastery" both interesting and unlikely to succeed. Given the struggle similar bands (Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys) are having keeping their profiles established in the USA, "Brain Thrust Mastery's" suppression of WaS' With Love and Squalor debut spunkiness seems likely to doom the band to cultdom.

There are still hints that We Are Scientists - down to core duo of Keith Murray and Chris Cain - could still whip up a Hot Fuss worthy record. Both "Lethal Enforcer" and "After Hours" could give Brandon Flowers a run for his money, while ballad "Spoken For" suggest WaS may follow The Bravery into the experimental territory of The Sun And The Moon. "Enforcer" is such a perfect recreation of 80/90's pop that it could have been on the Pretty In Pink Soundtrack.

That's still not enough to make up for the lack of any real growth here. "Brain Thrust Mastery" is a good but inconsequential second effort that needs a killer follow-up, or We Are Scientists are going to find themselves like most nerds...wondering why Molly Ringwald always took the handsome bad boys while wanting to just stay friends with you.

Their first album will always be dear to me, and I don't think their is a single misstep on it. I would almost say that about this one, except I could do without the slow song and a few chord combinations fall a little flat. That having been said, this one clearly does not rock out with the hooks quite as hard as the previous album. I like this album and can enjoy it just fine, with a few songs that do really rock hard, but overall it is simply not as dynamic. I do not however think their new style is all that different; maybe they added a few embellishments of keyboard or other new instruments, but overal this is the same ole band, just having a classic sophomore slump before they come back strong again.

Brooklyn based band We Are Scientists (Keith Murray and Chris Cain) follow up their winning debut with this second album of 80's New Wave inspired music. Guitar rock and synthpop are pretty evenly distributed throughout the 11 tracks included here, with Sparks being the band that mostly comes to mind as being a possible major influence, as they share that band's penchant for the satirical and the goofy, as well as their love of a good hook. Not all the material hits the mark, but in general Brain Thrust Mastery is a witty good time from a band that thankfully doesn't take much seriously, except maybe showing their listeners a bit of fun. Standout cuts: "After Hours," "Lethal Enforcer," "Impatience" and "Chick Lit."

We Are Scientists has done it again, with their sophomore album, 'Brain Thrust Mastery'. Those hoping for 'With Love and Squalor 2' will be let down, because is a very different sound. Which is a good thing. Although the drummer did leave, this is still a great rock album.

HIGHLIGHTS
Let's See It
Leather Enforcer (My Personal Favorite)
Impatience
Altered Beast