Brian Jonestown Massacre - Bravery Repetition and Noise

  by Chris Jones

published: 12 / 3 / 2002

---

Review

The reputation of the Brian Jonestown Massacre during their San Francisco days was something I heard about several years before I actually ever heard any of their music.  Stories of on-stage fights between band members, fights with audience members, nudity, LSD and heroin usage, etc. seemed to be the norm with this band.  I don't really remember hearing anyone talk about the band's music during this time. Although the BJM formed in 1991, it wasn't until 1997 that I ever listened to one of their CDs.  Maybe it's fitting that at the time I was living in the Upper Haight a few blocks away from where the members of the BJM had lived and right across the street from a house where Charles Manson once lived.  The stories about the band almost made it seem like they were onto some sort of "new Manson family" trip and their take on 1960's maximum R&B psyche rock only made the connection easier to make.  There was always something dark, something dangerous about their music, no matter how tripped out it sounded , nor how many times the word "love" was used in the lyrics. and the source of this was clearly front man Anton Newcombe. Anton tended to be the focal point of all the tales I had heard about the band.  The stories would have you believe that his main pastimes were beating up band members on-stage or kicking them out of the band or doing drugs. The photos of him did little to improve his reputation.  Sure, he would be saying "love", but then he'd have a handgun pointed at the camera.  Had Vegas been taking odds, I would have placed my money on heroin overdose or a gun related incident.  Fortunately, neither drugs nor guns nor label disputes have prevented Anton Newcombe from creating some great music. From the fuzzy, shoegazer sounds of their first full length 'Methodrone'" (1995) to the 60's rock sound of their one major label release 'Strung Out in Heaven' (1998), the BJM has managed to take from the past, improve on it, and put their distinct imprint on the music. 'Bravery Repetition and Noise' is the latest offering from Anton Newcombe and his revolving cast of musical collaborators and it may just be one of the most solid BJM records. The 60's psyche drenched sound is still there, but this album is somehow much broader sounding.  Maybe it's the layered sounds and dreamy quality of the album that give it this sense of breadth. These are simple garage-y, pop songs at heart, but much more to the ears. This is a moody album that tends to be on the dark side, but it doesn't come off as depressing.  With that darkness there, of course, comes a bit of the danger that has always been there in the best BJM songs. It's this sense of danger that separates the BJM from all those other Velvet Underground / Rolling Stones retro bands that for whatever reason seem to garner more attention in the press. The song 'Open Heart Surgery' might best exemplify the dreamy and dangerous tone of the album.  Stripped down guitars and a heavy, almost plodding beat serve as the backbone of this song and the vocals somehow carry a touch of both Robert Smith and Syd Barrett.  it's mopey and insane.  Soothing, yet tormented.  it also contrasts so well with the song 'Sailor' which is a great example of BJM style 60's psyche pop - fuzzed out, swirling guitars with hypnotic multi-layered vocals.  The album spans the many moods of the BJM and ends with an epic lengthed version of the track 'If I Love You?' which goes through all of those moods over the course of 6 minutes. It would be hard to argue that Anton Newcombe didn't develop the BJM sound by listening to likes of the Stones, the Beatles, the Kinks, Syd Barrett, the Velvet Underground, etc.  Yet, it would also be hard to argue that the Brian Jonestown Massacre hasn't developed their own unique style and sound over the past 10 years. The methods of Anton Newcombe might seem insane and downright scary at times, but it is his character that infuses the music with so much energy, emotion, style, and substance.  He's the kind of guy that you'll either love or hate.  And if you hate him, watch out for that gun....

Track Listing:-

1 Just For Today
2 Telegram
3 Stolen
4 Open Heart Surgery
5 Nevertheless
6 Sailor
7 You Have Been Disconnected
8 Leave Nothing For Sancho
9 Let Me Stand Next To Your Flower
10 If I Love You ?
11 (I Love You) Always
12 If I love You ? (New European Gold Standard Secret Babylonian Brotherhood Cinema Mix)
13 The Lantern (Bonus Track)

Label Links:-

http://www.bompstore.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bomprecords
https://twitter.com/AliveRecords
https://www.youtube.com/user/JIMalive1