Structure & Cosmetics

The Brunettes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 7, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sub Pop
• ASIN: B000SINSWG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,858 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth

2. Stereo (Mono Mono)

3. Her Hairagami Set

4. Credit Card Mail Order

5. Obligatory Road Song

6. Small Town Crew

7. If You Were Alien

8. Wall Poster Star

9. Structure & Cosmetics

Editorial Reviews

The Sub Pop debut by these New Zealand natives features breezy, effervescent, Shangri-Las-reminiscent pop. The backing band ranges from five to ten strong and incorporates the marimba, trumpet, alto and tenor sax, and more. "Structure & Cosmetics" retains the sweetly charming, sunbeam-drenched sound The Brunettes are known for, but adds a hint of darkness and drama in other tracks. They've played with the likes of The Shins, Rilo Kiley, The Postal Service, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To Dye For..., September 12, 2007

By 

E. Brunak "half wit" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Structure & Cosmetics (Audio CD)

Ok, so lame pun aside, the Brunettes seem to have hit their stride, and perhaps benefitted from touring with the bands that always seem to be name dropped whenever folks just want to find out about this fine New Zealand troupe. Where they initially got by on charming, refreshing tunes, they now seem to have tapped into a darker side (perhaps from experiencing frustration that much less talented bands around them get more attention?). Either way, these Kiwi kids have merged Shangri-La influences with Hazelwood/Sinatra interplay, to great effect. Lots of great tunes, including stand out "Her Hairagami Set" - self described as the result of "when New Zealanders try to get epic". Good stuff.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome, September 26, 2007

By 

PennyKF (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Structure & Cosmetics (Audio CD)

Just saw The Brunettes live last night at a small club. Didn't really know their music well, but they're amazing. This album is great. They're very talented and seem genuinely lovely!

4.0 out of 5 stars So fresh and so clean, April 15, 2008

By 

Anthony Rupert "shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Structure & Cosmetics (Audio CD)

The Brunettes are another one of those bands that I had on my list of albums to listen to but I don't remember where I heard of them. At any rate, their latest EP Structure & Cosmetics is pretty good.

This album might feel a little dated to the average listener, especially considering that the duo kind of reminds me of the Buggles (especially on "Stereo (Mono Mono)" and the title track, not that they're bad songs). But there are other good songs like "Small Town Crew", the playful "Her Hairagami Set", and when they poke fun at the industry, "Obligatory Road Song".

The only song I can do without is "If You Were Alien". The Brunettes' style isn't for everyone, but Structure & Cosmetics is still worth a listen.

Anthony Rupert