Black Stone Tramp
Brother sounds like a male version of theCorrs, mixing a pop sensibility with the traditional sounds of their native land--in Brother's case, Australia. With bagpipes and didgeridoo in hand, Angus and Hamish Richardson lead a four-piece band in songs of romantic love and yearning. "The Clumsy Lover" spins a spunky dance of bagpipes, didgeridoo, and fat groove that casts an infectious spell. "All I Know" and "Take You Back" walk a thin line between catchy romantic pop song and maudlin metal ballad. Overall, Brother's inventive blend is admirable. What isn't is their loose songwriting that sometimes features repetitious melodies and riffs. Granted, the mixture of bagpipes and blaring drum kit is interesting, but becomes outright enchanting when Brother travels to several diverse places in one song.--Karen Karleski