Customer Reviews

Send Us a Signal

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Excellent album on a new label. Formerly a Deep Elm band, now with the Militia Group, could be the best album put out by this band. I have to say, I got kind of tired of the Deep Elm stuff. Not to say it was bad, I just felt it was getting too sugary, and maybe the vocals were annoying me. Too whiny or something. I gave the new album a chance because I read a decent review. All in all the songs are great. Their is good diversity between the songs and each one is addictive and catchy. The vocals, work on this album. Dual vocalists each with a unique style that blend well together. Not sure why this band hasn't gotten bigger on the indie radio and video stations. Recommend to fans of Jimmy Eat World, Sense Field, etc.

For starters I'll just say this, I've listened to Brandtson since the beginning, and while this album is of no comparison to Letterbox or their early 7 inches, it's still a great album...I've got so much respect for this band it's not even funny...They've been at this for several years now and have numerous albums and have done countless tours, who knows how much they have left in them...

This CD is full of "Maturity" if that is what you would like to call it, but to be quite honest, it's not totally off Brandtson's style...They still have that unique sound that only they can pull off...Awesome vocal harmonies, nice intricate guitar pieces, and I swear Jared gets better and better on those drums with each album (hee hee)

Over all, if you're a Brandtson fan, this is definately an album you need to pick up...And even if your not, pick it up anyway!!! Oh, and kudos to the band for the remake of Blindspot!!!

HooRay for Brandtson!!! Keep up the good work guys!!!

Ben from Benbrook, TX

have gotten into brandtson around the year 2001 via their first full-length, brandtson always remained slightly under my radar. i enjoyed that record, but it wasn't one of my favorites and to be honest i just sort of forgot about these guys. which brings me to this summer, at wal-mart of all places, i saw this album and i was surprised to see that a) they were still around and b) a large department store chain was carrying their cd. so on a whim i picked it up. at this time i was getting frustrated with the indie-pop emo/rock world, and in addition to this record i also picked up the latest by black metal band dimmu borgir. i did not know how much i would love this record.

if you haven't heard their last few records (dial in sounds, fallen star collection, dying to figure each other out) you will be surprised to see that they're not so much of an emo band these days, and most references to mineral or sunny day real estate in their sound no longer apply. but what they have found, however, is that they're battle-tested and their chemistry is at an all-time high. it's a shame that this record hasn't been getting too much exposure by the press because i think it has enough mainstream accessability to appeal to many different types of music fans. i have yet to read a single negative review of this album as there just aren't many flaws.

if you get the opportunity, go see this band, as they sound just as good live as they do on record.

Some may have figured that the signing of brandtson to the militia group would only further solidify their emo tag. After many albums on Deep Elm, a label which is synonomous with emo so much that they even came out with compilations with such stomach turning titles as "Emo is Awesome", they bring us their first album on their new label.

I would find it hard to believe that anyone who has heard a Brandtson song before, could not distinguish this new album from their older material. Overall the feeling that they are making melodic rock music remains the same, but now they present it with the maturity that has naturally developed with age. Sound, structure, and even lyric wise point to a group of men who should hardly still be forced to wear such a juvenile "emo" tag. The first track is a short and sweet. Very easy to rock out to, while driving in your car or at a live show. The duel vocals hit quick and so does the chorus. Right from that track there is no denying that this is the same Brantson we have come to know, but they have evolved. Songs such as this show a harder rocking side of the group that to people like me is actually quite refreshing. The band has always done a good job of writing deeply emotional songs, without irritating or insulting the listener's ears. This album is no different. Songs like "The Escapist" could easily fit on some of the group's past albums, and should be highly accessible to all. "The Escapist" is driven with a solid beat, layered with claps throughout the song. This song represents the first band in recent memory to include hand claps into their music, without coming off in a totally hokey and inane way. The vocals of both Myk and Jared mix together on this track as great as ever. They have truly mastered the balance of who sings which parts, and when to come together. Without a doubt, Brandtson have solidified themselves as the best rock group in quite a few years to incorporate two major vocal presences perfectly.

Most of the album follows in line. There are a few heavier rockers, and only a few ballad-esque songs. While I always enjoyed the groups long ballads, it is nice to see a band avoid that direction for a change. Overall the album is not as poppy as previous releases, which does in turn make some of the songs less fun to sing along to, unfortunately. But the reward the listener gets is a fresh sounding rock album coming out at a time when the world could really use one. Of all of Brandtson's albums this may be the one that draws in a new breed of fan; and may be even the first to have true commercial potential. There are plenty of songs that could break onto mtv, if the label is willing to invest is such endeavors.

Brandtson have always been releasing amazing music and being a band thats hidden from any sort of media frenzy. To me what Brandtson is, is a band thats consitantly puts out amazing record, and a band that has the best vocal harmonises in the industry. And Myk Porter, and Jared Jolley do it just as brilliantly live.

With this release, Brandtson starts a new begining, not only with a new label, but a distinctly new sound. Unlike previous releases, this new record it a lot more heavier but still maintains the tradition Brandtson sound. Having only heard the record about 2 times, here are what are stand outs to my ears.

1. 'Who Are You' - Brandtson starts their records with a fast up beat song. This is no different and a very good album opener.
2. 'Drawing A Line In The Sand' - A slower paced song, and it's such a beautiful song. The lyrics are perfect, and it will leave you singing "Don't come, crying back to me".
4. 'Escapist' - The chorus has about 3 vocals parts, which at first might seem messy, but its beautiful. Good lyrics just like any Brandtson song.
7. 'Mercy Medical' - This song starts with a musically intro for about a minute plus. This song, though a bit repetative, is absolutly beautiful.
9. 'Mexico' - This song reminds me of the Incubus song under the same name. Its probably my favorite song on the album, and the lyrics are amazing and i think a lot of people will be able to relate to them. Amazing.
11. 'Over And Out' - The lyrics are really cool. Its really different, and the chorus is really catchy. The vocals of the verse are being played through the 'radio' so its sounds really different.

Brandtson - sendUSAsignal should be in your collection if you dont have it. All of their record are timeless. No matter how you feel, or when it is you can enjoy listening to them. They are amazing, and you can expect future releases to be just as good.

Im guessing those who gave this CD bad reviews are eiether Metal lovers who listen to Metallica or something like that or they just dont have any musical taste whatsoever! this album is great. Ive been a huge Brandtson fan for a while and this is one of their better records. Hopefully they will stay together for a while longer so they can help save the music scene.

If your into catchy,thoughtful, different music, give this a shot

After hearing their beautiful cover of Police's "King of Pain" on a Militia Group Records Compilation CD, I was excited to hear what this cd had in store. Unlike other reviewers this was my first taste of Brandtson, and I predict this cd will eventually be on MTV2 or Fuse, or atleast it should be. Popularity may be a year down the road, but fans of Yellowcard, Something Corporate-ish music will be drawn. Brandtson doesn't actually sound like Yellowcard or Something Corporate - but they have a distinctly beautiful sound. I've actually thought about it for a while and I think the perfect description of their sound would be Our Lady Peace meets Get Up Kids meets The Police meets Toad The Wet Sprocket meets Park. All these elements create emotional, heart felt, mature, and just well made music (the singer also has a very unique good voice for punk alternative). This cd has variety - just like other groups from this expanding genre (Get Up Kids, Ataris, Juliana Theory), Brandtson shows they can create beautiful, catchy music...mixing up fast and slow, but always bringing the emotion. This is an amazing "summer" cd, and it's just one of those cds that is catchy but far from poppy. Get it before radio eventually destroys it.***** 5 Stars for Brandtson

this album is the best Brandtson release yet, with a more diverse musical style, but still keeping that same catchy, sing-along feeling you get from the other albums. I was hard pressed to find a track that i geniunely did not like. "Cmon Fascista" was iffy until the very catchy chorus came in. the only song i disliked was "The Bottle and The Sea." It wasn't quite what i expected, and after multiple listens i still didn't enjoy listening to it. Other than that the album is wonderful, and i would suggest picking this one up.

my favorites were:

"Drawing a Line in the Sand"
"Just Breathe"
"Mercy Medical
"Blindspot" (A very good remake of my favorite song off of Letterbox)
"Over and Out"

This album has very few weak points, and is sure to be up there on my list of favorite CDs.

With 12 full US tours, 2 European and one Asian tour under their belts, plus 3 full lengths and 2 EP's behind them, this band has come along way to record the record of their lives. Now with a new label to call its home, the Militia Group is very proud to present their 4th full length "Send Us a Signal" for the Cleveland, OH based band. Produced by longtime friend, ED ROSE (Get Up Kids, The Beautiful Mistake, Emery, etc.), the boys spent the entire month of January recording their best effort to date. Some of my very favs on this record include "Who Are You Now?", "Drawing a Line in the Sand", "Escapist", "Mercy Medical" and "Over and Out". You won't be disappointed! =)

I've been a fan of the bands for a couple of years but was very diappointed in this effort. A bit more produced than the earlier stuff but none of the songs rise to the level of previous standouts - really B tracks throughout. If your exploring the band some of the best work is; Shannon Said, Holly Park and Leaving Ohio.