THE BROWN

"MelloW", released in October 2013, is the newest EP of The Brown, a Japanese rock quartet founded by Saitoh.N (drums, percussion), Takanori.Y (bass), eye (voices), and Atari.K (guitar) in 2003. They played on stage with Djamra in Nakatsu Vi-Code last autumn, and it's a pity I could not attend this fantastic gig battle, let me say.

At a first listening, fuzzy psychedelic guitar lightning splits our neuron. Eye's keen, clear but flexible voices dance around an alternative sound turf based upon heavy, eccentric riffs created by a deep rhythm party. Their phantasmagoric beat sounds mystic and natural, that can invade our inner mind smoothly. Hot, bloody and scarlet indeed. Whilst this beginning "Modern Play" should be only one of their multiple appearances ... can realize just when we listen to the following track "Mori Ni Hisomu (hidden in a deep forest)". As heavy, sharp-edged as the previous one but more dramatic and more enthusiastic. The melody line is pop and easily digestive but at the same time leaning toward hardcore fuzz buzz. Powerful but a bit gracious chorus knocks us easily ... exactly reminds us something like Rush / Geddy's virtuoso falsetto (sorry eye is a cute lady though). Followed by another mystery "Dear K. C". This track has tough chilling sound ice that would frostbite our ear directly. Kinda killa is an instrumental battle with each other in the middle part, as if colourful flavours of a whisky would be spread in our mouth and nose, that can be thought as another appearance of theirs.

"Low And Low" is one of their superb pop songs. Ruppa's saxophone as a vanguard, and the four talented artists shoot their excellent musical personality and their sincere feeling out ... not got beaten by the saxophonic passion but matured perfectly. Their mellow appearance (unexpectedly!) can be heard in a short poetry "Kumo No Ito (Spider's intention)", featuring the duo of beautiful keyboard moonshine and delightful voice sunshine. Very fascinating. Oh God, "Discharge" is characterized by eye's splendid vocal flexibility. Letting us feel free, easy, and comfortably. Complex drumming and bluesy bass quake cannot get freakout but to our surprise, strict and loud really. The last "Your Red", the longest one in this EP, notifies us what they would go forward as a musical goal ... Heavy Progressive Rock like Haken, The Mars Volta, and Rush ... their melody core is generally pop and catchy but simultaneously has a rigid basis of versatile elements and innovative strategies. Sweet but bitter, cool but fanatic. Quite suitable for them, such a phrase should be. Recommended with drinking bloody strong absinthe (toxic).