Benzos: Branches (Stinky)
release: August 7, 2007
style: serious rock with some programming, synth
similar: Muse, Deas Vail
rating: ***
Branches is a perplexing record. (yes! i always wanted to say a record was perplexing! YES! that was better than Hank Aaron's words of congratulations to Barry Bonds). The debut from Benzos (short for benzodiazepines, a class of anti-anxiety medications) was more or less a spawn of Radiohead and Travis due to the lilting vocals, etc. This album, for a while at least, seems to be headed in the same, emotional semi-epic rock direction. Until the midway point. The second half is more interesting and consuming. Aside from the last track, this is apparently where the band is now channeling their early influences from rave culture, hip hop and drum n bass. Nonetheless, on both halves the band's heart is in these songs. Dude, i told you this sh*t was perplexing. What they gotta do is bring it to the next level. So bring it! -Kenyon