A Brief History Of Love

The Big Pink
A Brief History of Love
4 out of 10 (what I want to give it)
8 out of 10 (what I actually give it)

Another in a long list of uber-hyped British bands that I truly want to hate and despise. The duo of Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell don't really have a innovative bone in their bodies, creating a sound that is a true melange of Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Placebo, M83, and 300 other shoegazer bands, which truly becomes a game of spot the influence. When I first listened to the album I immediately praised the wonderfully dense production values and the instant hooks that were sparkling and catchy, however, I didn't feel any sense of emotional connection with it. I listened a couple of times and stopped, thinking it would be something to delete from my iTunes library at a later date to make room for something more special.

Damn them.

I couldn't get the stupid thing out of my head. I feel like someone subconsciously planted a chip in my body that constantly plays it until I finally had to give in. It only takes the arena ready drums and hooky chorus of "Dominos" and my head is bobbing and I starting singing at the top of my lungs (to the chagrin of Kurt, Dan, Janis, and Ian I am sure).



It is a big dumb frat rock song, but its power to take over your brain is undeniable. That's not to say that the album is dumb by any stretch of the imagination. The lyrics are all quite wry and biting, and the fact that they transcend the enormity of "Dominos" with several other songs as equal to or even better, really goes to show what tremendous craftsman the duo are. This is especially evident with "Velvet," taking the Curve meets Nine Inch Nails meets Love and Rockets vibe and ratcheting up the pathos to 100 degrees.

"These arms are mine
Don't matter who they hold
So should I maybe, Just leave love alone
You call out my name, for the love you need
Which you won't find in me"



They can also be very subtle and almost druggy/hypnotic, as in the in hazy "Too Young To Love;"



And extends to their poppier side on tracks like "At War With The Sun," "A Brief History of Love," and "Tonight." And they even have a way with a ballad, the touching and haunting "Love in Vain."

I so wanted to rip this band a new one, but I just can't get them out of my system. Usually if I enjoy an album all the way through inevitably I will grow tired of it. I need a band to throw some curves in there to get me to challenge the way I listen to music. I thought there wasn't enough there at first, but I kept coming back and finding more to enjoy. So that is the reason for the weird score. I want to give it a 4 because I hate being wrong. But I have to give it an 8 based on the fact it is really too good not to like. While I don't love it like I do the Grizzly Bear or The xx cds, I find it is right up there giving chase.