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REVIEW – Let us start a drinking game. Every time in this review I name drop one of Amy’s former bands to take a shot. How in the hell was REDFLECKS and YUMI AND THE SYSTEM not huge? Lead singer Amy Lynn Wright is the best vocalist in the last two decades. REDFLECKS debut album, “The Story Cannot End” is from the first song to last a masterpiece. Not only the way the songs are structured but the thoughtful lyrics. It is like if CAROLE KING was the lead singer for R.E.M during the early years. YUMI AND THE SYSTEM came out in 2014, and was the direct opposite in terms of sound to REDFLECKS. “Wonders of Origins” is one of the few albums that gives me goosebumps each time I listen to it. It is like the new wave child of Amy came out and put out an album that should have been in every damn top 10 list. That was yesterday and this is now. Amy has her musical soulmate in Alex Hill and is giving us BRINEABOY. The easy comparison I can make is LESLEY RANKINE. She went from her angry punk of SILVERFISH to her alternative industrial in PIGFACE to her calm beauty in RUBY. Amy can be seen in that same light.
BRINEABOY seems like a natural fit for both musicians as they come across with such confidence. The hip hop beats with electro rock feels in the vein of TRICKY or SNEAKER PIMPS. The lyrics are so creative and vast that it lends the listener to create their own art in what they interpret. This is a band that seems to put ART in the forefront of being an artist. This album seems to come across as a voice for a generation that is so apt to type instead of just speaking. The mood of the music is so uncertain and I feel that is the biggest positive to this album. Songs like “Backbone” and “Hyper” you can listen to over and over and get something different each time. “Jumpsuit” is another favorite. It was such something that I felt I was expecting but not expecting at the same time. If that does not make sense, just listen to the track and you will understand it better. I think the comparisons will be there to Portishead or Hooverphonic, maybe some will use Bjork as well.
This album has such a deep personality that it is almost unfair to lump it in a category or labeling. This is as deep as the ocean and as thoughtful as the sun. “Run My Direction” could be on a tv commercial and not feel out of place. I made a joke once that I could see YUMI AND THE SYSTEM covering “Warrior” by SCANDAL. I could truly see BRINEABOY touring with Scandal. I could see BRINEABOY being a major deal if college radio would stop playing the same crap and take chances on new bands or new visions. Alex Hill has created a sound that compliments Amy. This is a band that really knows what the other is thinking or feeling and just goes with it. I could picture the studio being such an adventure. You have two creative people who are making art that I feel could paint promise in such a bad 2020 for most of us. This album is full of hope and promise that it will all be fine. Just put the headphones on and dance, forget the world for 40 plus minutes and jump in their world. BRINEABOY have put out a great album. Now, I am going to stop typing and watch Pretty in Pink thinking of this cd. I do not know where this carnival will go but hopefully this cd will be talked about a ton and this band gets a ton of eyes.
