Posted by Megan Warburton, 1/28/02 at 5:32:46 PM.

The group that defines themselves as Australian mongrel rock is at it again, with their newest release i you you me. Their talents are exhibited well on this five-track album, with pieces that range from raucous and quick to slow and introspective.

"Crazy" is as wild as they come, with pounding drums and short, simple lyrics. The message is no less powerful - and, like the rest of the album, no less uplifting. All of the tracks on this album share a common thread, a central message of hope. Perhaps most touching is the instrumental tribute "911", written after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The tracks in between reflect a range of emotion, from the subtle guitar work and soulful lyrics of "Believe Again" to the driving, clap-your-hands beat of "It's All Good." With drums reminiscent of Queen's "We Will Rock You", "It's All Good" In nearly every piece, bagpipes and didjeridoo intertwine seamlessly with the music, with the only exceptions being the tracks that don't include them. There is something in Brother's music that is purely and uniquely Australia; it is inexplicable, but one listen to this album and it will become clear to you.

This album illustrates yet another step in the evolution of Brother - both in terms of musicianship and in songwriting. Both are stronger on this album than on albums previous, despite the diminutive length. This growth cannot be anything but good, and their ability to elicit an emotional response has grown in proportion to their skills as musicians. There is a definite feeling of joy from this album, as well; Brother thoroughly enjoys what they do, and they enjoy sharing it almost as much as they enjoy creating it. This growth cannot be anything but good, and their ability to elicit an emotional response has grown in proportion to their skills as musicians.

Overall, this album captures the atmosphere of a live Brother performance with startling accuracy, making it a rare treat indeed.

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Last update: Monday, January 28, 2002 at 7:30:15 PM