Brazil - The Philosophy of Velocity
 

I love At The Drive In. They are in my top ten all time favourite bands. I like Mars Volta and Sparta, but they will never find a place in that top ten. Before I listened to Brazil’s newest release (set for October 3, 2006) I read up a little on them. To my pleasant surprise, not only had they toured with Sparta, but they had also toured with a band that I have dearly loved for years and years. To see that this band had accompanied Engine Down on a tour, a band that is responsible for a song in my top 3 (Intent To Pacify), I was even more eager to listen.
This band is full of surprises.
At first I thought that they were carbon copies of Mars Volta; their vocals and guitar really have the same feel and sound. However, the more I listened and the further into the album I got, I realised there was so much more there. The six-piece’s music was breathtaking, beautiful, and to keep the alliteration going, bold. I find that Mars Volta’s epic songs don’t keep me interested for very long. I also find that my nagging bitterness at missing At The Drive In keeps me from truly liking either of the spin-offs more than I do, and I think Brazil is my answer. They have all of Mars Volta’s talents of song writing and dark atmospheres, but their songs are shorter, and they even incorporate just good old rock, like Sparta.
I know this article is giving the impression that this band sounds just like Mars Volta, but what I am really trying to get across is more of a feeling than the same sounds. They definitely have their own sound. Only one or two songs truly sound like Mars Volta, but if any study into rock history is done, one would know that in this ever evolving art form, and in most others as I am aware, the students often outdo their teachers. If you like any of the above-mentioned bands, make sure you check this band out, you will never forgive yourself otherwise. If you aren’t, you still must do this band the justice they deserve of giving these hard-working, talented youths a fresh ear. For a band that cites Sylvia Plath and Genesis as their influences, they at least deserve a chance, and I know one listen will have you intrigued. The boys aren’t exactly lacking in the looks department either (hint, hint!).
www.myspace.com/brazil
www.braziltheband.com