OK here we go again, ‘Monsoon’ that opens this new album by Flight Brigade is 22 seconds of keys that leaves you wondering whether Pop, Rock or House music is about to descend on you. The retro feel of ‘Heartbreaker’ that follows doesn’t give you much more of a nudge one way or another except ruling out that last option. Coming across like a mash of 80’s Pop meets AOR in the vein of bands of yesteryear like A-ha and melding male and female vocals over a lazy guitar, a big 80’s drum sound and a catchy refrain it’s very different to my staple diet of Hard Rock.
The title track that follows has more of a meaty riff but again its unashamedly 80’s Pop-fuelled and awash with synth and sweet melodies, ironically in these opening shots whilst the music is smooth and light the subject matter is rather darker touching on infidelity and depression in the first two songs.
If you like what you’ve heard so far then I assume you’ll enjoy the rest: ‘Tinderbox’ has a bit more bite before falling back on mournful vocals that feed on an early 80’s alternative rock vibe whilst remaining slick and smooth sonically,it’s again a dark lyric as is that to ‘Fury Road’ that follows which contemplates the speed at which life passes you by. If I’m honest I felt pretty depressed at this point, though I actually loved that arrangement which is more of a rocker.
Best here for me is probably ‘Brainwave’ which gives the guitar a bit of freedom, but honestly all I can say is that if you give this a try and like it all well and good, here’s a band that are hard to categorize and touch on real subjects. Me I’ll pass and try to catch something a little heavier sonically and lighter thematically. Give it a go though these guys are tipped for big things.