photo by Emily Joy Ashman; photo courtesy of Knyvet

Single Reviews of The Brother Stereo: “Time in History” and “The Ballad of the Washed Up (and Seemingly Forgotten)”

The Brother Stereo is a Massachusetts alt-rock band comprised of Michael Robert Kelly (vocals, guitar, bass), Shawn Pelkey (drums), and Buddy Sullivan (guitar). The band’s music has a very clean, throwback rock veneer but with an alt-rock energy. In other words, the songs would have broad appeal to fans who might not typically like a band “this alternative” while also appealing to alt-rockers whose tastes might not usually include bands with such a clean sound or, it seems, some of the influences that present themselves throughout The Brother Stereo’s songs. You know, if I weren’t trying to describe The Brother Stereo’s sound, I probably wouldn’t even try to pin a subgenre on them beyond simply calling them a rock band. But, alas, something so vague would not be super helpful.

The first of the two singles that found my inbox late last summer and fall, “Time in History,” has a musical intro that will identify it from the very moment you hear it on your playlist. It has a bit of an otherworldly, dispossessed, echoey musical opening, which sets the stage for Kelly’s sharp, melancholy vocals, very well-suited to the song’s subject matter, which walks the line between reminiscence, longing, and regret. This song may very well be the first time I realized those three emotions border each other.

artwork by Emily Joy Ashman; image courtesy of Knyvet

Interestingly, about halfway through the second half of “Time in History,” there’s an exceptionally well-placed – though you probably wouldn’t guess it would fit in this song until you hear it – classic, not particularly short, blues-rock guitar solo that provides energy, emotion, and a power-build all the way to the song’s end. I can’t recall a comparable alt-rock song that transitions so seamlessly to a blues-rock song. However, though The Brother Stereo’s sound is tough to pin down, it’s easy to dig for fans of each of the individual styles that contribute to these songs’ mutt DNA.

Of the subject matter covered in “Time in History,” Kelly notes, “‘Time in History’ is about the insecurities and complacency of today’s world coupled with the nostalgia of growing up and the longing for yesterday’s world. I think this song will be relatable to our generation very directly.”

The band’s next single, “The Ballad of the Washed Up (and Seemingly Forgotten),” is much more R.E.M.-like; it might pair well with “Losing My Religion.” In particular, in that comparison, Kelly’s vocals have a cutting edge to them much like Stipe’s. Or perhaps this song could be the up-tempo half of a back-to-back with Incubus’ “Drive,” as both tunes have an open but rocking feeling to their driving strums, but that’s probably not quite as good a sonic match as “…Religion” would be. Comparing The Brother Stereo’s two singles, as in “Time in History,” the band leans into a broader rock sound on “The Ballad of the Washed Up.” And delivers a blues-rock guitar solo, though  it’s much shorter and serves just a bridge this time.

artwork by Emily Joy Ashman; image courtesy of Knyvet

As he did with “Time in History,” Kelly shares the inspiration for “The Ballad of the Washed Up (and Seemingly Forgotten)”: “It’s about being at the top of your game and being a human under a lot of pressure. It’s about the superficiality of the people you meet, keeping up the façade of fame in the eyes of the world and trying to relate to others. I just had Hollywood in mind for some reason and what it must be like for people who are so famous and desirable they can’t walk down the street. Then what it’s like to be the person who used to be that famous and the shit you get for not being as ‘perfect’ or ‘beautiful’ as you used to be. Washed up, if you will.”

The Brother Stereo has a unique sound all its own, but it’s a band whose singles belong alongside other guitar-driven rock songs on your personal playlist. Trust me, they’ll worm their way into your brain. “Time in History” first, likely because of its easily identifiable intro, but “…Washed Up” soon thereafter because of its engaging tempo.

photo by Emily Joy Ashman; photo courtesy of Knyvet

More Recently

In the time since these singles landed in my review queue, The Brother Stereo has released four more singles – “My Focus,” “Drinks on Me,” “Tornado,” and “Feeling Low,” all of which you’ll find on the band’s bandcamp page. To be honest, I haven’t listened to any of them yet. When I take a break from prepping for my next review, I look forward to checking them out.