Just Brewed
STRANGE BREW
Just Brewed is a collection of songs that take us back to much simpler times without complexity, chaos and an overdose technology. Strange Brew uses understated and melodious guitar work of Chris together with lovely vocal harmonies for a sound that comes across as simple and in your face rock n roll.
Who Cares, the opening track on Just Brewed which begins with dubbed cheers of a live audience over which Mike starts singing. The guitars then rush in with a rousing riff, and suddenly it's up and rocking. There's a funky section in the middle with rap-like vocals, and then Chris, Jacob and Sanjeev go on an extended jam, which breaks off to have Mike singing solo again, before the whole band goes into one grand finale.
No time is a lively rocker but the aalap, though lovely, seems like an affected afterthought added on for the sake of Indianness. This band really doesn't need to go that way.
Free World has an acoustic intro before Chris takes over with a climbing riff. The second stanza has Jacob laying down a meaty bass line, and Chris shows that he can also play fast with the best of them. Free World is this band's anthem, really.
Who I Am the next song starts of aon a funky groove, which remains throughout the song.
Don't Wanna Know, the next song on the line has a heavy feel to it. Mike's vocals are impressive throughout. Personally, I think that the guitar tones could have been improved on the album.
The album somehow lacks a punch, even when played out loud on my system. Wonder why. May be the band lacked a bigger budget for a better production. But the album overall has a live, jammy feel to it, which is really refreshing. The guys have brewed it almost right, considering that this is their first album.
Released in 2003, it's sad that the album still doesn't find a place in any of the music shops down south. It's available only on rsjonline.com. That's bad because bands like Skinny Alley and Motherjane have managed to get their albums on the racks in south. But do grab the album, it's really value for money. Simple, rocking. Visit the band's impressive website www.strangebrewindia.com
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