Customer Reviews

Interiors

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard Brad in the fall of 1995 when someone i went to school with leant me the Shame cd. I was not all that impressed with what i saw as a hybrid of the Commodors and Neil Young. I was a big Pearl Jam fan and was hoping that since Stone Gossard was in Brad that the record would sound like PJ. Of course it did not.

Last summer I had the immense pleasure of seeing Brad play shorlty after the release of their second album Interiors. I was very impressed. My taste in music has evolved quite a bit since I was eighteen. This was made evident to me when Brad's Interiors blew me away. Even though it sounds nothing like Pearl Jam, as I once hoped it would, It rocks on it's own merit. Songs like Secret Girl, The Day Brings, Lift and Sweet Al George make this a worthy record. The funky grooves and ballads on this record instantly made it one of my favorites. Sweet Al George even gave me a little bit of the Pearl Jam flavor I had originally hoped for back in '95. I would reccomend this record to any rock and roll fan, or even fans of late seventies funk, like the Commodors. If it is a Pearl Jam record you are looking for, however, try Seven Mary Three. Interiors is a great record. Shawn Smith is an incredibly talented and charismatic vocalist. Check him out in concert if you ever get the chance, either in Brad, or in his other band Satchel.

Brad is a surprisingly unknown but, excellent band. If this cd, was ever somehow promoted more, it would go platinum, easily.

The album is hand is Brad's second one. If you are thinking Pearl Jam {Stone Gossard is the guitarist for Brad} think again, my friend, because you got it all wrong. This album has almost none of that "Seattle sound" that became so overused in the early 1990s. Instead, this album does include some extremely beautiful and moving moments. The band mixes funk, soul and just a bit of rock to create a solid, flowing album. stand out tracks include the rock-like " Lift", the highly emotional and somewhat trippy "Upon my shoulders" and "Funeral song" and the melodic, Counting Crowes orientated "Some never come home". Also, keep a close watch on lead singer Shawn Smith, who's voice is a beautiful cross between Stevie Wonder, Ben Harper and Steve Winwood. Sadly, Smith is one of the most overlooked artists of our time. And he should not be. When you will listen to this album, you'll understand why.

I got this CD when I heard that Pearl Jam's guitarist Stone Gossard was in the band. Then when I put it into the CD player it and the first track "Secret Girl" started up I was ready to hear what I may have wasted money on. It has a little distorted guitar going and the singer Shawn starts in. It seemed kind of boring. It seemed like the song on Pearl Jam's No Code album called "Mankind" where Stone Gossard sings. So then I figured this was going to be like a Gossard solo album. Its not at all. It took me a while to give all of the songs a chance after that song. I just wasn't too excited. Eventually though, I did hear all of the songs on the CD and my oh my are they good. There are some of the nicest songs I have ever heard. I think they are simply a brilliant band. They have a piano and guitars and Shawn Smith, I think his name is. I do not know how much Stone Gossard puts into this band, but they are great. This CD is not as good as Brad's first album called Shame, but its a must buy if you like band's like... I don't even know who. It's all Shawn Smith. The songs are from slower ones that move about 1 mph to songs that just roll with nice grooves. They are mostly slower songs, but they are so good. There are a few songs that are a little harder rock songs that just sound good. His voice doesn't sound like any one's I know, but it is very like-able. Overall this CD has some really nice songs that every one should hear and enjoy like I have.

an extremely mature, loose, and funky album! the tunes just grow on you. the more you here it, the more it grows on you.it is one of those rare albums that is timeless.. unhurried.. it is like a good friend... can't wait for the next one..

Let's face it-Shawn Smith has got to be one of the FINEST,
purest vocalist in the R n' R genre. Whether singing in a
beautiful, willowy falsetto or belting out a crunching uptempo
rocker, Shawn just easily and masterfully pulls it off.
Listening to "Interiors" you'll hear shades of Steven Tyler,
Neil Young, Ian Anderson, and, mostly, the late great Lowell
George of Little Feat. And the music...it seamlessly shimmers
and sways. Head over heels better than their first release.
No sophomore slump here. "Interiors" is an absolute center-
piece of Mr. Smith showing off his amazing vocal talents.
A stunning disc that has matured as gracefully as a bottle of
white bordeaux.

"Interiors" features some excellent songs. The first four tracks are simply outstanding. Its tough to top the driving rocker that leads off. "Secret Girl" was probably my favorite song of '97 - it gets you going! Brad combines that Gossard groove with the soulful vocals and piano work of Shaun ----? They can slow it down too. Highly reccommended!

This album is really one of the best albums of this decade. Brad is SO underrated, everyone should know about them. They should be played all over the place. But, somewhat luckily for us, they aren't. Get this CD and you'll feel like you know one of the best-kept secrets of the decade as well. Shawn Smith has one of the greatest voices in music today. The songs are different from one to the next...many different styles thrown into one CD. The funk of "Those 3 Words" is booty-shakin'! "The Day Brings" to me, is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Simple, yet grandiose. Every song on this album is great. It's also a pretty timeless sounding album, which is rare these days. Buy it! Also check out the first Brad album "Shame" which is quite different, stylistically, from this one. "Interiors" is a future classic, even though everyone might not know it yet...trust me.

this is an album that grows on you..like a fungus. you feel it on you but you can't shake it off. Smile, close your eyes and let songs like 'upon my shoulders' and funeral song take you away. Sometimes gloomy, sometimes upbeat, always slick.

In their second release, lead guitarist Stone Gossard and singer Shawn Smith manage to accomplish a mature groovy album where riffs do not rule songs, and where ppiano and bass play a key role in the tunes.
Brad distinguish themselves because of their arrangements and peculiar songs. Production in this album is great as well as sound quality.
"circle and line" is a wonderful song, the piano plays accurately a supporting role, fulfilling the song each step of the way, making you feel everything even more.
"some never come home" is touching and amazing. the lyrics are heartfelt and pure. the bass is warm and leads way to the tune while the piano and guitar compliment it all quietly making thus a great impact that leads the listener until the final note.
Most notable on the album is "sweet al george" a cathy guitar led tune that rocks in a passive manner, and where the voice graciously uplifts the tone with the perfect amount of distortion. The chorus simply rocks!

If you are either a Satchel or PJ fan this cd is a must have.
If you like alt-rock acts, you will not be dissapointed by this uplifting yet tender album that manages to rock hard as well!!!