Brakes - Rock Is Dodelijk
FatCat Records, 2nd November 2009
Live albums are nearly always a stop-gap release, either flogging a dead horse or announcing a victory lap following a triumphant year, and since Brakes have released one of 2009's best albums in 'Touchdown' this release falls into the former category.
'Dodelijk' translates from Dutch as 'deadly' or 'lethal' and although you suppose that Brakes are making this claim with their tongues somewhere in the vicinity of their cheeks, they are one of few bands whose live shows anywhere near live up to such a statement. The strength of a Brakes performance comes from the simple 'four guys assaulting their instruments' idea that rock and roll is born of. Of course there's also some slower moments for the acoustic tracks, but that doesn't get in the way of the bands overall power, because when it boils down to it behind the power is great songs.
All of this is captured really well on this twenty track record, recorded at two separate gigs, all that's missing is Eamon and co's often brilliant banter. But seeing as pretty much all of the bases from their career thus far are covered we can let that slide. The inclusion of b-side 'Huevos Rancheros' also offsets the fact that being culled from two shows has lead to duplication of two songs ('Hey Hey' and 'What's in it For Me').
Although it's hard to pick highlights, other than personal favourite songs from Brakes repertoire ('Porcupine or Pineapple' or 'Don't Take Me To Space (Man)' for instance), it is thrilling to hear on record the different takes on familiar material. One song that's worth a mention is the previously acoustic 'Isabel', which is given the full band treatment, swelling to a rock climax, whilst elsewhere passages of songs which are normally quite are filled with some screeching guitar work.
Of course, this will probably mean all too little to those that are unfamiliar with either the live show or the recorded output of this most brilliant of bands, which is a shame. If you fit into this camp then as soon as possible get out to see Brakes, buy their three albums and then invest in 'Rock is Dodelijk' as the icing on the cake.
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