brigand - famous people our age or younger

Brigand

Famous People Our Age Or Younger
self-released; 2013

3.8 out of 5

By Demiera Harris

I like to listen to music that has a consistent theme but doesn’t sound strict or forced; Brigands’ album Famous People Our Age Or Younger is a great example of that kind of music. It flows nicely from song to song, while still keeping things varied along the way. Every instrument, including the vocals, plays its part well and adds an indispensable aspect to every single song contained here.

A solemn organ heralds “Like Crazy” paving the road to a more excitable melody that has a little pop and a little punk with a steady current of alternative rock. I couldn’t understand some of the lyrics in the chorus, but I couldn’t help humming along anyway. 

“How Did I Let So Many Years Go By” has ground-shaking intensity and is full of energy. I thought it was going to be a more reflective song, but it is truly an uplifting song. I have not figured out what or who the ‘you’ being referenced is, but deep inside I feel like perhaps it’s supposed to be open to interpretation. 

If “Had to Try It” was made exceedingly catchy on purpose because of its subject matter – it was a job well done. The addition of electronic elements made it sound a bit like an acid trip, which added even more significance to the song. I’m adding this one to my peer pressure repertoire for next time I want my friends to try something new; you simply can’t say no to this song! 

The lyrics in “Our Uninspired Summer” hit me pretty hard, given I’ve wasted a summer or two (or five or six) through laziness, work or something else. This song features some guitar solos unlike the others, the inclusion of which caught my attention and held it. The ending riff was awesome too.

I noticed that a lot of this album’s charm lies in the songwriting, and on the subject matter touched upon. The only thing I could hope for is a little more clarity in the lyrics to make it easier to hear the words, as they sometimes run into each other – and I found myself focusing a bit too much on deciphering the lyrics. That said, it’s important to note that the parts I could clearly understand were incredibly poignant and in some cases weaved themselves into my brain for me to randomly start singing later – which speaks volumes. Overall, I enjoyed listening to this album and intend on exploring more of Brigands’ music!

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