Brigade - "Lights" (Mighty Atom)

A varied and thoroughly British album, Brigade's Lights is a fine example of rock and emo fusing together in a seamless manner. As a debut album, this is very polished and professional-sounding. The band have a confident, solid sound that should hold them over through a promising career.

"Magneto", the opening track of the album, sets things up nicely with a gentle easing in followed by explosive guitars and energy. Will Simpson (lead vocals and guitar) sounds a little American on this track, but it's still great.

"Meet Me At My Funeral" has delicate interludes (complete with what sounds like a triangle tinkling in the background), while at the same time having almost Funeral For A Friend-style wails and cries on top of driving guitars and great rhythm.

There are comparisons that can be drawn with Placebo at times ("Made To Wreck" and “Adjust”, for example), though far from plagiaristic, Brigade are perhaps paying homage to a band that has influenced them (much as Trivium pay homage to Metallica). Like Placebo, Brigade never let things get away from them too much, which is perhaps the only criticism of Lights - a little more... verve and bombast would have gone a long way. At the same time, not pandering to a simple radio-rock-pop single format means the band has a recognisable, pleasing sound. Other points of comparison would be Jimmy Eat World and Muse (if they were less flamboyant).

One of the best things about Lights is the way delicate moments are balanced effectively with heavier, more emo moments. They don't really fit into any particular scene. Artrock is present, rock, indie and emo all are nodded to throughout the album. They're a breath of fresh air in the cloying abundance of Emo bands that are clogging up the radios (My Chemical Romance, Aiden, etc. ad infinitum...), and prove that ridiculous clothes and a Hitler comb-over* aren't necessary to make an impact.

Distinct, intriguing and satisfying.

www.brigadeworld.com / www.myspace.com/brigade

* I find it astonishing people haven't been able to see the similarity between the Fuhrer's quoiffeure and the hordes of Emo-kids running around their town centres...