Customer Reviews

Urban Cave

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, I wanna point out that one editorial review is a bit off. Urban Cave is not bROthER's fourth album, it's their ninth. In order, they are "Brother" "Pipe Dreams" "Exit from Screechville" "Black Stone Tramp" "The Digging Bone" "Your Backyard" "This Way Up" "I You You Me" "Urban Cave." The brother who left the band years ago, Fergus, has his own cd...Bur: Bur's Acoustic and Electric Celtic World Orchestra. These guys are the ones who inspired me to get into music & because of them, I play a wide range of instruments, including the didjeridu & bagpipes. Not only is their music indescribably beautiful, profound, insightful, foot-stompin', take-your-breath-away, kick-arse awesome...but the guys themselves...some of the most genuine, down-to-earth people ever. I've had the privilege of getting to know them over the years & know that their music comes from their souls, from their hearts, from their land...long live bROthER

Amazing beyond words. I can feel the beat in my blood and my bones...just listening to the music makes me want to dance! It's primal and modern and totally rock and roll in a way that I've never heard before. I can't get enough. I only wish there were more tracks on the disk - more CDs for me to listen to! Nothing else makes me feel so alive, so completely a part of the music. I can feel the emotions and the power and the beauty behind it all.

As a piper myself, I'm in complete admiration of their amazing ability (I'm trying to teach myself to play some of their music!) - there is no comparing them to anyone; they're totally original.

And they're nice, to boot! Got to meet them in person at a concert two weeks ago...I definitely recommend this band! Their concerts are great, their music is amazing...

Keep it coming, Brother! I'm ready for more!

You have to give Brother credit. Their latest album and grand experiment, "Urban Cave" has managed to polarize their current fan base into two sides: those who like the new album, and those who like the older material.

Still, you have to give a band credit for stretching their sound in several different directions, and taking the risk of alienating their fans, especially an indie band. And that's what Brother has done.

Brother, for those non-initiates, is/was an indy celtic rock band who have built up a reputation for powerful exciting live performances, pop-rock-Celtic-Aboriginal music with introspective, positive lyrics, bagpipes and a didgeridoo.

Now, with their latest release, "Urban Cave", the much-beloved Celtic influence becomes just one of many influences in this mixed bag of styles and sounds. Now incorporating electronica, hip-hop, jazz, and other new instrumentation (cello, trumpet). The lyrics have undergone a change as well...a bit more melancholy has crept into the mix. As a result, many old time fans have found themselves dismayed at the "radical" sound change, as well as the "re-interpretation" of some of the band's older material that is contained on this album.

Let's take a look at this. First off, with all the personnel changes that band has endured, they simply are not the same group that they once were. Secondly, the electronic influence is one that has been growing in the band's music over their last two studio releases, so their diving into the samples isn't really that much of a shock as much as it is a natural progression of their sound.

This much can be said...even with its "flaws", "Urban Cave" stands as Brother's most fully realized, most passionate and strongest album to date.

The new songs, obviously written for their new style, rank as some of the band's strongest to date. "Funny", the opening track, places the band's cards on the table with a fuzzy guitar lick leading into electronic drums and featuring a rap section. "Fragile" features a grab bag of guitar licks (country, surf), didj, and samples. "In Your Name" is a of a darker tone ("The world is mine/But I don't feel okay/I lost my mind today..." "In your name/I could get away...with murder"), and stands as one of their most engaging tracks yet. The melancholy continues with "Say Goodbye".

The re-do's are where things get a bit iffy. First off, with some time between studio releases, the re-done older material initially comes off as unnecessary, until you give them a proper listen. Some songs, like "River", with it's U2/The Edge-like guitar line, and "Lonely With You", with Hamish's most impassioned vocal yet, have improved upon their originals. "Fly Away", formerly a straight acoustic track, in now completely different in it's electronic swirls and samples. It's jarring for fans of the original, yet ends up standing up equally to its predecessor. "Crazy (Just Like Everyone)", in it's 3rd incarnation, suffers a little bit from the old adage "tinker with something enough and you might just break it". It's still good, but the original was very nearly the model of the perfect post-millennium pop song. "Inside of Me" (previously known as "Bitch") and "How Do You Feel" (previously "It's All Good)...well...they are radical re-does, and newer fans will most likely enjoy them. But these are the two tracks that have polarized their following. And frankly...they were better off before. "How Do You Feel" eventually hits the familiar riff of it's predecessor, too little too late. "Inside of Me" is the one track where the grab bag approach gets a bit too much, including a very cheesy 80's era radio bit.

Still, the album is their most unified, cohesive collection yet. The grab bag of influences and sounds could have been a muddled mess, and come perilously close at times, but the production of the album strikes a good balance. The band, namely Hamish & Angus, give strong performances musically and vocally; probably their strongest yet on record. They know they're taking a big chance with this album and they give it all they got. Guitarist Rick Kurek, who sadly left the band following this album's release, uses a wide range of styles in his sounds and playing ability, deftly tackling surf guitar, fuzzy psychedelic and the previously mentioned Edge-sounding riffs, as well as the cello. T. Xiques' brings a dynamic tribal percussion style, well suited for the band. Dez Stewart's contributions are the most obvious new additions, and whether you like the new style or not, he adds a new heartbeat to the band.

Brother issues quite the challenge with their latest. "Urban Cave" is an album that cannot be pigeonholed into a style, or even an adequate description. It's many things to many people...but it's endlessly engaging. It may confuse or even surprise you at first...but give this album a chance. There are plentiful gifts here that will reveal themselves with repeated listening. Enter the Cave with an open mind.

I saw Brother recently in Milwaukee when they played at Rainbow Summer. Wow. Amazing. A high level of muscianship, the harmonies were beautiful and the energy level was stratospheric. When it was over I felt like I'd just come back from an extended vacation.

They had a pre-release of Urban Cave and I bought a copy. I gave my copy to a friend that was down and find myself ordering another copy. This CD lives up to the energy level and quality of music that the live show provides. On my lowest days I am left grinning like a sugared up kid.

They've re-mastered songs that were on 'i you you me' with depth and a wall of sound. Derek 'Dez' Stewart's keyboard/rap stylings, drummer/trumpet player T Xiques heroic percussion and the lush cello provide a strong foundation for the Richardson brothers to build their beautiful musical castles.

The 'Funny' vocal mix makes it a great opener. I love the Dez rap overlay (it really makes this song a stand out) and the drumming is solid. I think it takes Brother to a new level.

Fragile is a consistent favorite. The twang of the guitar and the harmonies crawling out of the deep for the chorus are excellent. Again, the vocals have been mixed better than I've heard them before on CD.

This version of 'Fly Away' is the best I've heard. The simplicity of the version on 'Your Backyard' is beautiful. This mix is powerful and has tremendous impact.

The sitar wafting into 'Wear Me Down' intregrates fluidly, showcasing the harmonies.

With a huge CD collection to chose from, this CD goes in again and again. Urban Cave has captured the wonderful impact that is Brother live. Watch out... it's addictive!

I can't think of a word for "Brother totally rocks my socks." I don't think I've heard a band that combines bagpipes and guitars in a body-shaking, toe-taping, play-album-again, way. Somehow they do it. This album is a must have. The funny thing is, it's not Celtic and it's not rock. It's BROTHER. You just have to see hear to believe it.

I am lacking the words to describe the music these guys create. It goes beyond the unusual mix of instruments they use (note I do not attempt to name all the instruments!). Bagpipes? Some Aboriginal instruments from the outback? Blend them together with "regular" instruments into some kind of rythmic rock? IT WORKS! Somehow, these guys make it all flow. But beyond all the instrumental magic, the musicians in Brother deliver their harmonic message with a carefully measured passion. I can't wait for more music from this group!

I saw Brother for the first time 11 years ago and hadn't heard about them again until this winter. I chanced upon their concert in Newcastle, and loved it so much I went to see them again the next week. Urban Cave is wildly different from the tape I bought so many years ago, and I love them both.

Brother took my breath away and left left me spinning days after I saw them. Listening to Urban Cave brings it all whirling back. I've never experienced any sound or any band quite like them. Urban Cave is intricate in sound and meaning. Mongrel is definately the best breed and so is Brother's mongrel rock. And if their music doesn't get you, the guys will the moment they speak to you.

I also recommend checking out their website, where you can read more about them. You can even follow Hamish's directions to make and play your own digeridoo!

My wife and I catch every live performance of this band that we can. I can say that, without doubt, Brother gives one of the best live performances you will ever see. Their earlier albums, while very good, never quite caught the emotion and intensity of the live performance. "Urban Cave" does.

From the vocals, spectacular mix, and instruments this album truly catches the energy of the live performance. Each track is unique in its own way and there is something for everyone on this album. Everyone we have bought the album for, from our youngest grandson to our oldest daughter has raved about certain tracks, or all of them.

Without doubt, "Urban Cave" is a must-have album.

I'm just kidding!!! Actually it sucks your breath away, it's so good. Hamish, Angus, and Dalbo are cool dudes. Party.

from the depths of their "urban cave"
you are sent on a journey, trip, of sounds, techniques, rythym, rock, rap and heart throbbing lyrics.
every instrument from guitars,bagpipes, didgeridoo, drums, electronic keyboard, trumpet, cello, sitar,rap, gutteral joy,whispers are engineered beautifully and to its'
fullest potential.
BROTHER, has captured and given to this musical world the "gift" of insight ...how music can retain the past and change with the tide...stretch...grow....evolve..excite..empower!
put your stereo headphones on and feel the movement of everything traveling around your head, in infinity.
be sung to in each ear in exquisite harmony.
the levels and depths of this cave,
are titilatingly exhausting!!
come up for air,
because they leave you breathless!!
delicious!
i listen to this most everyday to smile, feel, experience
the moment!
get this now, because they are breaking new ground...
i concur with roger mennell from woodstock radio,
'truly world class'
i choose the "red pill"
visit the "urban cave" (...) play it!