Full Of Northern Promise
It is less than a year ago that Brew Records was born. Funded admirably by The Scar Trust, a community grant with the sole purpose of helping citizens bring about change in their community, the label was formed with the one aim of showcasing the more alternative music that is alive and kicking in Leeds. So much attention placed on the so called ‘New Yorkshire’ sound over the last few years, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the only sounds created in the area are imitations of Artic Monkeys and the jaunty crowd pleasers of Kaiser Chiefs. Brew Records are here to prove you wrong with sixteen tracks that prove that amidst the “aaahhhhs” and Alex Turner wannabes there’s a music scene quite different waiting to be discovered in the north.
Eerily opening proceedings with a track that sounds like a horror flick score with underlying funk/ska cravings, The Butterfly’s ‘Eros And Thanatos’ is strangely captivating as its prog rock styling instantly appeals. I Concur’s ‘Oblige’ lays off the strange mutation mind bending in preference for some straight forward infectious indie rock that jangles in all the right places, delightfully pleasing before making way for the brash shrieks of The Plight. With a riff heavy intro that exudes energy and unadulterated adrenaline, ‘Life’s Debt’ is a bout of aggressively raw, in your face rock that could easily find a home at Donington as the band’s full out rock threatens to rip your throat out.
Brandishing an eclectic mix of bands within the three opening tracks, Brew Records certainly depict a label with a healthy roster and things only get better. Year Of The Man unleash some blood curdling death rasps in the epic building ‘Rage Of Man, Strength Of Son’ whilst Vessels offer some hard edged indie before making way for the soft piano of Glissando’s melancholic charged ‘Floods’. In the end Brew Records opt to go out on a fighting note with Chickenhawk’s ‘Perceptions Parts i-iii’ screamingly bringing an end to proceedings in a rush of shrieking guitars, earth shuddering drums and even an informal congregation of prayer that spews into an avalanche of visceral yelps to flay you in two.
For a label that has only been formed for such a short period of time Brew Records have managed to gather some exciting acts to their name. From the rough ruckus of metal to the infectious beats of indie through to the relaxing twinklings of chilled alternative, Brew Records have secured an eclectic bunch of artists that suggests that the music industry is alive and well in the north and what’s more not everyone is trying to be the next Alex Turner come Ricky Wilson. Thank god for small mercies.