A life less ordinary
Brookville are the new project of Ivy guitarist Andy Chase. Assisted by various friends including acclaimed producer Steve Osbourne and former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha the New York native's debut release 'Life In The Shade' is an accomplished, sophisticated album of adult pop music. A perfect down-tempo accompaniment to The Feeling's '12 Stops and Home', its blend of traditional and modern instrumentation pays rich dividends here.
Opener 'Blue Morning' sets the tone for the rest of the album, a harmonious marriage of acoustic guitars and electronic beats, it's a gorgeous introduction to proceedings. Lynch-pin and main song-writer Chase has scored huge success in the past with his film and TV soundtrack work (most notably on the Gwyneth Paltrow comedy 'Shallow Hal') and the music on offer here displays a clear love for lush cinematic arrangements and glossy pop production. The upbeat, summery 'Slow Emotion Replay' is one of the album highlights, its anthemic chorus and catchy lead guitar motif marking it out as a potential future single. Lazily strummed acoustic guitars blend with mournful piano, swathes of brass and electronic strings on the dreamy 'Up On The Wire' which hints at a love for New Order's more life affirming moments. Another highlight arrives at the midway point in the form of 'Hey You Hang On' - violin and the odd burst of electric guitar providing a bit of added grit to the overall uplifting epic mix. Conversely the album's title track is rather sedate by comparison, sparse and jazzy it recalls Massive Attack at their most somnambulant. Brookville also dabble in bossa-nova styled jazz on the hazy 'Nothing's Meant To Last'. Throughout this record Chase's voice is pleasant but unexceptional, melodic but not awe-inspiringly so but fortunately it doesn't detract from the excellence of the thirteen songs on offer here. There is a real purpose to the song-writing and an attention to detail that sets this record apart from others who have tried to jump on the chill out gravy train. Perhaps the only flaw to this album is its lack of dynamism, everything seems to drift by at a leisurely pace when a little energy at strategic points could improve things considerably.
'Life In The Shade' is a blissed out delight though that will hopefully see Brookville take their rightful place in the chill-out big league alongside Röyksopp, Zero 7 and Air. The band has already toured the US with Goldfrapp and one can envision the UK falling hook, line and sinker for this most excellent debut album.