This Way Up [Import]

Brother | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 5, 2000)
• Original Release Date: July 1, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Celtic America Llc
• ASIN: B00004YU6D
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,007 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Thetimeisnow

2. Blackest of Blue

3. The Crow

4. Shadowman

5. The Unknown (Granny Macleod & Rory Macleod)

6. Give it Away

7. Rainmaker

8. 2 Chairs & One Tree

9. Romp and Circumstance

10. Fly Away

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

"Lyrically and melodically, we're not a band about doom and gloom," says Hamish Richardson, who with his real-life sibling, Angus, shares front-man duties for Australia's indie export, BROTHER. "Our musical message is all about getting to know yourself so you can learn to trust yourself, be positive and look for ways of creating a sense of community in your life."

The message may be universal, but what sets the band’s music apart from its rocking peers, is that BROTHER draws on a rich cultural heritage to grab attention to its unique powerhouse rock. "What we're doing is using our music to transport people somewhere," says Hamish. "For some people it's to a place inside themselves and they have a relationship with our music that's very intimate. For others our music gives them a reason and a motivation to connect with others - there's quite a tangible sense of our fans being a community."

The two Aussie brothers have moved half way across the world to the US, to connect their musical messages with a wider market. Today's line-up sees Angus and Hamish providing bass and rhythm guitars, as well as bagpipes, didgeridoo* and vocals. Dutch-born drummer, Roel Kuiper who combines the power of his rock roots with the frenetic energy found in more tribal World grooves, anchors the line-up. On guitars is Rick Kurek, a Chicago native, whose dynamic stage presence is a key force in BROTHER's ability to pick an audience up and shake it senseless. The current line-up has, say the Richardsons, driven the band through a dramatic evolution over the last two years and given BROTHER the kind of ‘it’ chemistry which eludes most bands.

"We feel pretty lucky. There’s definitely something magical about what happens when the four of us hit the stage and in what we have as a songwriting team," says Hamish. "The bagpipes and didg are also integral to the power of our music because they grab people and then move them. First-timers to our shows come up to us and hold their fists to their chests and say: 'Wow, that really touched me here.' We figure that's a pretty good testimonial," says Angus Richardson.

BROTHER has had many musical journeymen on the band’s evolutionary ride. The Richardsons’ upbringing on a ranch in Australia comes through in their music. "The great bush-ranger and folk song traditions of early Australia are an important part of where we come from musically," says Angus. The Beatles, Police, Aussie compatriots Midnight Oil, AC/DC, Crowded House, the rootsie groove of Little Feat, the diversity and lyrical power of Lyle Lovett and contemporary icons, Radiohead, are just some of the band's many other musical influences.

BROTHER's musical philosophy is presented in its recent CD, 'i you you me', a five-track EP. The EP opens with the feel-good, rollicking romp of ‘Crazy', followed by the more thrash-y title track, ‘i you you me’. 'Believe Again' is a vocal/acoustic statement from two years ago, following a near-fatal road accident in which the Richardson brothers, their then guitarist and sound engineer were seriously injured. "It's a simple, powerful and positive statement which just felt right for this offering," says Hamish. Fourth up is the Queen-inspired rock anthem, 'It's all good'. The final track, '911', is "an expression of emotion that came out of us on that terrible day," Hamish explains. "We were at a festival in Milwaukee and fans started arriving in what I suppose was a kind of collective grief - that human need to be together in tragic times - so we threw away our set-list and just took to the stage to play whatever came. It was one of the most moving experiences of our lives. We put the track down a couple of weeks later".

*the didgeridoo or didg is a ceremonial and spiritually-significant instrument of Australia's aborigines. It is traditionally a naturally, hollowed-out eucalyptus branch which is refined to produce a buzzing, drone sound when blown through. Think: Survivor soundtrack!

Product Description

Recorded live at The Coachhouse, San Juan Capistrano, the album lets you experience the unparalleled energy and sense of community at a BROTHER show. From 'hear a pin drop ballads' to frenzied call and response. Strap yourself in because this album is quite a ride!

Features the simple and moving 'Fly Away', BROTHER's symbolic rock classic 'The Crow', and the crowd-pleasing dueling bagpipes of 'Romp'.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More fun than a wild haggis hunt, and almost as lively.., July 22, 2002

By 

spiral_mind (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Way Up (Audio CD)

In the fine tradition of blending traditional folk sounds with modern rock, Brother stands as one of today's most criminally overlooked groups. At the very least they're a little more obscure than Fairport Convention or Steeleye Span, yet this disc shows just what a powerful sound they have. Half the tunes here could almost be stateside radio singles - of the ten tracks here, five are essentially basic rock tunes (although quite melodic ones, and that Aussie accent only makes their voices sound more distinctive). The guys do have a nice way with words and a pleasing set of harmonies that comes across even better in a live situation.

And then there's the really good stuff. The opener "Thetimeisnow" shows the essence of what makes Brother distinct: a seamless blending of pounding drums, twisting bagpipes and hopeful singing that brings just the right calm to the frenzy. The lead pipes add a nice flavor to the rock tunes "Blackest of Blue" and "2 Chairs and One Tree" also, but it's during the field march "The Unknown" and the lively closer "Romp and Circumstance" where they truly shine. That last features a fun call-and-answer between the singer and audience, and among the musicians themselves. Highland Morris dancing never sounded like so much fun before. As much fun as it is, I'm also glad that the encore "Fly Away" is stripped down to the basics. It's a simple, lovely wistful tune and too many ingredients would probably kill it.

I give 3.5 stars because when the cultural elements are missing, a couple of the plain tunes can tend to sound alike and run together (e.g. "Shadowman," "Give It Away" and "Rainmaker"). But since half-stars aren't allowed, I'll round it up to four since their sense of fun is contagious and their stage energy is undeniable. If you're curious to discover a little-known treasure (or just want to hear something a little different), this album is a good place to look.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If there is one CD that you should buy this year...., September 12, 2000

By 

Denise (Muskego, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Way Up (Audio CD)

It should be this one. Brother has made a wonderful live collection of songs that combine Rock with Celtic roots. I really like this CD as it makes you feel that you are sitting in the front row of one of their concerts. One thing that I hate about most live CDs is that you have to hear a ton of screaming and clapping between each and every song. Well, not this CD. This CD was produced so well, that you know it is live, but you do not get the "live overkill." Brother is a breath of fresh air and are gaining popularity at a fast pace. The talents of the two brothers, Hamish and Angus, are complimented by their bandmates Steve and Roel. Hamish and Angus remember their Celtic roots with bagpipes, but also remember where they grew up. The brothers in Brother are from Australia and Hamish plays the didgeridoo on some of the songs. It makes for an interesting and mesmerizing aspect of some of their songs. I can also guarantee you that you have never heard bagpipes played like this before. So please, do yourself a favor and purchase this CD. You will not be disappointed! In my opinion.... Brother is better than all the rest of the Celtic Rock bands that are out their today. If you ever have a chance to see them in concert.... do so!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High energy return to the stage and CD, October 12, 2000

By 

Thomas Downey "tommytoony" (Roseville, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Way Up (Audio CD)

Brother has NOT had it easy the last few years; with personel changes (including the departure of Brother Fergus for a solo career) and a serious auto accident that nearly took them out for good. Finally, they come roaring back with a fine new live album.

Normally there are suspicions about live albums and their usually inferior quality. This one, however, is a fine example of Brother's on-stage prowess and manages to capture the high energy of their performances. Featuring a good cross section of their material, including one new track, the band plays with abandon. The pipes wail, the harmonies soar. The energy captured here is infectious. These guys can more than cut it live.

The album is not without its minor faults; a few songs that didn't make the cut, a few blown notes. Ah, but that is sometimes the charm of a live album. At least you know it's real.

This is a welcome return to form (and then some) for Brother, and a perfect place to start if you're just being introduced to their music. Highly recommended.