Album Review: The Candace Brooks Band – The Chase

September 14, 2009 by Editor
Filed under 2009 Releases, Album Reviews

The Candace Brooks Band
The Chase

The Candace Brooks Band - The Chase

Release Date: October 9, 2009
Record Label: (self-released)

Review:
The Candace Brooks Band returns with the follow-up to 2007′s Life After Me. Their latest self-produced effort, The Chase is a clever mix of indie-rock combined with alt-pop character.

The album opens with the up tempo number “I’m Gonna Break Your Heart.” If you’ve never heard this band’s music before, this track provides the perfect first exposure. It’s a well-written tune that really conveys the energy this band produces in their live shows.

The next song, “Reign of My Heart,” shows the heavier side of the band’s music. The tracks opening chords echo the spirit of 70′s hard rock bands (strangely reminds me of Black Sabbath’s “Snowblind”). This grittier side of the band suits them well, especially Brooks’ raspy vocals, and it serves to really balance out the tone of this album.

Lyrically, the band uses matters of the heart as a common thread that runs though The Chase. One of the simplest and catchiest is the the lustful “Feel It.” I can already imagine a crowd singing along to the verses and chorus.

“Gone Missing”, another very strong track, closes out the album. At the very least, The Chase demonstrates just how much potential The Candace Brooks Band has to do great things. Their song-writing sense is sound, their skills are developed, and Brooks’ herself provides strong character with her unique vocal style… all these elements that together make this album one of the better independent releases I’ve heard in a while, and I can’t wait to hear what they have planned down the road.

Track Listing: