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IN REVIEW: JEFF the Brotherhood - "Wasted On the Dream"

 

In a curious twist of fate, JEFF The Brotherhood's eighth album was delayed by two weeks on account of the band being dropped by Warner Bros. What's curious about it is that the record was finished and ready to go; most of the work was done save for a little promotional consideration. Listening to the record, I have to wonder what made Warner lose hope; it's as if they got a cut on their hand and chose to amputate rather than buy some antiseptic. 

Wasted on the Dream is packed with thick riffs and fist pumping rhythms, just like fans are used to. There are even a few radio-ready singles here; Coat Check Girl sounds like the kind of sugary concession tune a band writes after being told by their label to do something catchy (but I'm not sneering at it, because it works as advertised). Then, there's the crunchy/sweet In My Dreams, featuring a refreshing guest vocal by Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino, which could have easily gone top ten if this were 1995. Ditto Karaoke, TN, which sounds like something Pinkerton-era Weezer might have penned if Rivers Cuomo was an unapologetic (but fun) alcoholic. It also features a chorus of woo-hoo-hoos and a gang vocal spelling lesson for good measure. 

Of course, the biggest talking point on the record has to be the swaggering, thunderous Black Cherry Pie and the guest solo by Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson. The song doesn't necessarily call for flute, but the flute certainly calls attention to what turns out to be a real highlight of the record. Plus, honestly, JEFF The Brotherhood doesn't do anything they don't find fun here; in turn, Wasted on the Dream is a lot of fun for listeners. It looks like the only ones not having fun here are Warner Bros., who I presume (based on their handling of this band) would run away screaming from fun and jump into a flaming pile of dog shit wrapped in barbed wire.

March 24, 2015 • Infinity Cat
Highlights Black Cherry Pie • In My Dreams • Coat Check Girl

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