While so many bands have gone the way of the indie scene, releasing raw pop records for the hipster crowd, an album on the opposite side of the alternative rock spectrum landed on my desk by a California band named Bril. Although there have been rumors that their name is British slang for brilliant, the band actually got Bril from the legendary New York songwriting building of the ’60s. Their debut album on Kirtland Records, Airless Alarm, is filled with glossy gems similar to those by Ours and Coldplay. Unlike far too many “slick” records that use production to cover up a lack of musicianship and songwriting, frontman Dave Starr writes melodic songs with plenty of substance. The lead single, “Far Away”, is chock full of irrisistable guitar riffs with Starr’s vocals lying somewhere between Jimmy Gnecco and Tom Chaplin. “Whenever You’re Gone” is another potential pick for a radio tune, with the shimmering guitars and the soft/loud song structure that has helped bands like Coldplay take it to the next level. On “Love Suicide”, the sweeping guitars and falsetto vocals build to a beautifully noisy crescendo that shows off their musical chops. Remember back when Remy Zero made it cool to like a polished rock band? Bril are poised to step in where they left off.

Bril
Kirtland Records

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