Bravo Fucking Bravo – II

Bravo Fucking Bravo – II / 2005 Alone / 9 Tracks / http://www.bravofuckingbravo.com / http:/www.alonerecords.com / Reviewed 03 December 2005

The style of hardcore that Bravo Fucking Bravo is similar in a sense to that of the technical-core bands, but there seems to be a heavy hard rock/metal influence that moderates the amounts of effete wankery that the band can burden on its listeners. The most interesting thing about Bravo Fucking Bravo is the tension that they create with each of their tracks; the screaming present by Myke is always at a certain level of intensity even if the backing instrumentation is slow and contemplative (like in “Feed The Motherfuckers To The Sharks”).

“Feed The Motherfuckers” also has another thing going for it; the repetition achieved by the band in the second half of the track really drives home the message of the track to each and every listener. Finishing off the first section of “II” with their “Jean-Claude God Damn”, Bravo Fucking Bravo find their Venus di Milo in the simple, half-sung half –spoken vocals that are strewn throughout the track. This intricate brand of vocals comes back in a major way during “Doctor Hot Shit”, something that is put further in the stratosphere by solid guitars and perfectly-splashing drumlines. “The New Testament” is another track in the vein of screamed-out hardcore that Bravo Fucking Bravo make themselves known for on “II”, but there is a punk spontaneity to their sound that really freshens this disc up at a time when most other discs are reeling. The band has not been around too terribly long, but the sound that they lay down on “II” is some of the most furious and well-balanced hardcore rock to come out.

Each band members has their own place on each track, and what comes forth is a complete sounding act. The ending track on “II”, “Making Machines Out Of Water” is by far the longest (almost topping five minutes) on the disc; it provides a definitive end to what was a maelstrom of furious arrangements and even more brutal vocals. The production, the fact that every arrangement sounds polished yet human at the same time – Bravo Fucking Bravo is miles beyond what any other hardcore band is doing now and this is even taking into consideration acts like Converge and Bleeding Through. Well worth the cost of a CD and even more worth a live performance, there is no doubt in my mind that Bravo Fucking Bravo could come up with another album or two that is more of the same high quality.

Top Tracks: Jean-Claude God Damn, Doctor Hot Shit

Rating: 6.5/10

[JMcQ]