Echobrain

Echobrain | Format: Vinyl

Product Details

• Vinyl
• Label: Chophouse Records/Surfdog Records
• ASIN: B001QV4P2Q
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

Editorial Reviews

2002 Vinyl Record: Track Listing of songs: Colder World; The Feeling Is Over; Spoonfed; Adrift; Keep Me Alive; Ghosts; SuckerPunch; Highway 44; I Drank You; Cryin' Shame;

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Newsted's work?, March 5, 2002

By 

"thetornoutlaw" (San Francisco Bay Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Echobrain (Dig) (Audio CD)

Ever since Jason Newsted left Metallica I've been eagerly awaiting the side project that was so important to him, following every new development. Then, back in July a local radio station had him, Brian Sagrafena and Dylan Donkin on to preview their stuff.

I was shocked, the music I heard more resembled The Beatles rather than the thrash of Metallica. I wasn't quite sure if I liked what I heard. I followed up on it, checked every now and then for the obligatory interviews, and finally we got a March release date. I bought the album, unsure of what to expect after that preview.

Well, after listening to the whole album a couple times, I must say this is great stuff. Don't expect anything like Metallica, even though lead guitarist Kirk Hammet makes a cameo in SuckerPunch. The tunes range from beautiful and sad in Ghosts to the catchy Colder World and SuckerPunch. Cryin' Shame wraps the album up in a 9 minute song that ranges from a serious bass 'n drums tone to a fun jam at the end.

This album's style is all over the place, and each song has a different sound. In the end, what we have here is a CD full of beautiful music, and I highly recommend it to anyone who's interested in a different sort of rock.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Refreashing Breath of Air, December 1, 2003

By 

Nicole Maronn (Enfield, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Echobrain (Dig) (Audio CD)

Echobrain is the "brain child" of former Metallica bassiest Jason Newsted and two fresh faces in the music world, Brain Sagrafena and Dylan Donkin. It was recorded at Newsted's own Chophouse Records and put out by little-known label Surfdog Records (unless you know who Gary Hooey is, aka "Mr. Metal Christmas" for his rocking renditions of classic Christmas songs, who is under this label). Why take notice? Well, kept reading and get the answer.

I was able to catch the group live just last year on their "Keep Me Alive" Tour in New Haven, CT. They are one live act that you must see! Plus, I was able to see Newsted before he left the group to join Ozzy's band!

I already had the CD even before I saw them live and I must say, this is music that will perk up your spirits and won't annoy the folks (but, then again, if your folks are into metal, this could be a gain of salt to swallow). Similar to the already cloned alterna-pop acts, Echobrain stands out well. Instead of a polished, cookie-cutter record, we are treated to a semi-gritty, almost underground indie rock set. Very radio-friendly, but may never even see radio's radar (you would mostly likely catch this on college radio).

Now here's a quick review of the entire disk, all in order:

Colder World--Very up-tempo and could easily leak onto a station like 96.5. Exteremly catchy! A great song to start off a great record!

The Feeling Is Over--A flowing track, wonderful to sit back and relax too. Also radio-friendly without being over-baked!

Spoonfed--Nice track and great guitars make this track most enjoible!

Adrift--Very laid-back with a folk-flavor to it. Everytime I hear it, I think of the old Peanuts movie "Snoopy Come Home".

Keep Me Alive--Another radio-friendly track with more great guitar work!

Ghosts--I mostly ingnore this track due to the fact that it's WAY TOO depression. But it's a nice sad song.

Suckerpunch--A mellow, almost Gothic-like track that features a wonderfully-played solo by Kirk Hammett (Metallica) which gives this track a nice kick!

Highway 44--A bluesy road song that makes you almost smell the dust from the nearest dirt road!

I Drank You--Nice track with some great acoustic guitars!

Cryin' Shame--The longest track on the record. A moody, dark song that reminds me of the anime series Trigun. A great song too!

**HIDDEN TRACK** The Crazy Song--A silly, up-beat doodle that features the kazoo. Diffently will put a smile on your face!

To sum up, Echobrain requires you to listen with an open mind. If you enjoy arty music like Radiohead, this may not sound like Radiohead, but with the amazing talents of Sagrafena and Donkin now left to pick up where Jason has already placed them, chances are the Echobrain will delight whoever its' audience maybe.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a surprise!, March 7, 2002

By 

John Fortier (Katy, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Echobrain (Dig) (Audio CD)

Given Jason Newsted's past (Metallica, Flotsam & Jetsam), I expected a hard thrash type of sound from these guys. What we get is more like Alice in Chains with a much fuller sound. It is hard, but approachable. There are several excellent hooks, especially "Colder World". If this is why Newsted left Metallica, I totally understand. This is definitely a keeper.
I hope they tour!