The uncharacteristic and painfully long intro on BRMC’s sixth studio album Specter At The Feast lulls the listener into a kind of static hypnosis – which does little to kick start the album but does paint a picture of the bands headspace. Many of the songs on the album are derived from a place of loss, inspired by the unexpected passing of Michael Been, the ‘fourth’ member and father of bass player Robert Levon Been. Not a completely morose affair, Specter At The Feast presents as a confused piece of work, emotionally erratic but not completely void of excellence.
With the six minute saga of Fire Walker a somewhat burden to consume, second track Let The Day Begin is a suitable follow up. The toms abound with a searing guitar riff that is repetitive but raring in it’s execution and the song sits comfortably in BRMC territory even though it’s a cover, original penned by Michael Been’s band The Call. Returning is characterised by haunting organ and reverb heavy guitars, with Levon Been lamenting over the top as the soundscapes build and break apart. Lullaby follows much the same trajectory with more focus on prettier acoustic guitar wanderings, then all a sudden the album swings into vintage BRMC mode with Hate the Taste recalling the same cynical snarl as Took Out a Loan on the bands 2007 album Baby 81. Rival and Teenage Disease continue with the injection of cool-angst laden rock‘n’roll, making the middle section of Specter At The Feast a force to be reckoned with.
Unfortunately the two divergent personalities on the album are alienating to the listener, the earnest sincerity jarring against the juvenility of the more obvious rock‘n’roll numbers. While BRMC have often tackled content from both camps in previous works, the distinction seems particularly highlighted on Specter At The Feast resulting in an album that while featuring many exceptional songs feels ultimately fragmented.
BY KRYSTAL MAYNARD
Best Track: Hate The Taste
If You Like This, You’ll Like These: THE MORNING AFTER GIRLS, THE BLACK RYDER
In A Word: Fragmented
