Sex Objects

The Briefs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Better Youth Org.
• ASIN: B00029LNJQ
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,419 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The Briefs are intent on re-creating the shout-along choruses of earlier British punk bands like the Damned and the Sex Pistols, but with far more hooks in the vein of a tamer Dropkick Murphys. The quartet is very tight, having perfected the two-minute three-chord gems that sound like a band on the cusp of something grand. "Halfsize Girl" is a tad more angst-ridden, although the sneers and snarls are still audible. Another mini-rant, "Destroy the USA," is a brief rave-up backed by a ragged garage band sound. The group should never tone things down, as the paltry and radio-friendly approach to "Ephedrine Blue" falls flat quickly. "So Stupid" walks the line between the last track and the earlier efforts with better than expected results -- a suffocating rhythm section as the listener is given a toe-tapping, fist-pumping foundation. The title song stands head and shoulders above the rest, with infectious riffs and a fine punk build to the chorus. "Killed By Ants" recalls Fastball with a Southern swagger, although guitarists Daniel J. Travanti and Steve E. Nix complement each other nicely on the bridge and solos. The fun-loving energy is palpable on the gorgeous yet somewhat light "Shoplifting at Macy's." The faux Brit aping on "Sally I Can't Go to the Beach" does not work, although there seem to be redeeming qualities in the chorus that are never fully realized. "Vitamin Bomb" is a slight improvement, although it comes off like a one-shot demo. ~ Jason MacNeil, Rovi --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent retro 70's punk, October 17, 2005

By 

Paul J. Escamilla "sentient being" (NYC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sex Objects (Audio CD)

As someone who grew up on classic punk back in the late 70's and early 80's, I can attest to the fact that the Briefs do an amazing job of recreating the snotty, melodic punk of that era.

The first time I heard them I was sort of freaking out, wondering if I had been caught in some kind of time warp and transported back to 1979 or 1980. Was this a band from back then that I had somehow never heard of? Or was this a current band that magically re-embodies the energetic spirit of classic punk?

Turns out it's the latter, and I take my hat off to the Briefs. They pump out song after song of catchy, snotty, and hook-filled classic punk that gets me almost as excited (in 2005) as the Clash, the Vibrators, the Damned, Sham 69, the Buzzcocks and others did (in 1978-9).

Sure, it ain't original. Some might say it's just Punk-By-Numbers, and in a way, it is. There's no doubt these guys have earnestly studied the classic English punk records and molded themselves in that image. But it's easier said than done well.

There's tons of bands that emulate the classic punk era, with varying degrees of success. Some, like Green Day and Rancid, have even ridden that horse all the way to mainstream success.

What sets the Briefs apart, in my opinion, is that somehow, they manage to make their music without the whiff of nostalgia. They don't sound like a band that grew up in the 90's listening to classic punk from 20 years before. Somehow, miraculously, they manage to sound like they actually ARE a classic punk band from the 70s...they sound like the real thing. From the production values, to the song structures, to the guitar tone, to the melodies, to the perfectly snotty vocals, the Briefs get it right.

If the material weren't strong, I'd say, "So what?", but with songs this good I can't help but get excited by this record and by this band. It makes me feel 14 again. It makes me wanna sell all my classic rock LP's again (like I did when i was 14) and trade them for Undertones and Stranglers and UK Subs albums. It makes me wanna start a punk band again. It makes me wanna get a Slurpee and play Space Invaders at 7-11 til 2 in the morning and then go drive around town listening to Crass and the Ramones. That's how it makes me feel, and I like it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My latest obsession, December 12, 2004

By 

DisturbedMonkey (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sex Objects (Audio CD)

I bought this CD recently and it hasnt left my CD played since. The Briefs are punk, but not hardcore. Imagine the music of the early pop punk bands like the buzzcocks, the ramones and the vibrators etc, but played super fast. Thats basically what the briefs sound like. Their lyrics are mostly immature and jokey, but sometimes vaguely political (without being too serious), like on no more presidents and destroy the USA. The CD is really short, but most great punk rock CDs are. Basically, this album delivers song after song of punk rock greatness and makes any listeners want to get up and jump around and pogo. Recomended for everyone, even people who dont like punk.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Straight-forward punk - the way it should be., August 15, 2004

By 

A. Liebling (Long Island City, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sex Objects (Audio CD)

After reviewing like 200 CDs in a row that were either emo, "melodic punk" (aka emo), "poetic indie" (aka bad emo), and "heartfelt hook-laden melodic rock that defies genres" (aka really bad emo), it's great to listen to a real punk band. The guitars and song structures are straight-forward peppy '70s punk, with the vocals affecting a snotty, fake British tone. A little early Clash, a little Undertones, a little New York Dolls and Heartbreakers, but with singalong background vox that bring to mind early British street punk. Songs are simple and choruses are exactly how punk choruses should be - dumb at face value, but damn catchy when repeated over and over. I had heard great things about these guys, and they live up to the hype. 14 great, catchy tracks.