Burning Brides – Fall of the Plastic Empire
(File 13/V2)

Burning Brides are a Philadelphia based 3 pc. This album however, was recorded with lead singer Dmitri Coats and Melanie Campbell operating as a two piece. Originally released last year as one of Buddyhead.com’s bands, it failed to create a stir. Maybe it was bad timing, combined with the fact that the original album artwork, almost comparable to a Christian Death cover, didn’t exactly fit what the band was about.

Now recently rereleased on V2, “Fall of the Plastic Empire” might succeed, with lead single “Arctic Snow” about to have a video ready on the heels of a string of late night talk show appearances. Will the folks who pick up this disc be disappointed?

Hard to tell.

On the plus side, the album is very hard rocking, and actually has guitar solos, which is somewhat rare these days. Each song starts off similarly, with a very simple riff that explodes into an intense sound that reminds of Mudhoney mixed with “bleach” era Nirvana. A little bit of MC5 and Blue Cheer are also present. “Plank of Fire” opens, not the best song on the album but still stands above all these other bands tapping into the early 90s aggressive grunge sound. “Glass Slipper” picks things up a bit, more punk influenced, quick and to the point. “If I’m a Man” is probably the best song on the album, a bouncy song that climaxes with cymbals crashing as Coats lets out a “HEY HEY HEY HEY”. Coats might be what decides if the band becomes a success or not. When he is raspy or screaming, he’s at his best. When he’s singing more clearly, he often sounds a little too much like Sloan or old treble charger. “Stabbed in the Back of the Heart” has very simple distorted guitar that uses some of the same tricks the White Stripes have become famous for.

For those who managed to see the Brides’ live before, either on TV or on their recent visit to Toronto, they might be disappointed by the poor recording which fails to give the Brides’ intensity justice. Comparing the intensity of the end of “Arctic Snow” live to the recording is a sad task. It feels through much of the album that they are being held back by something, as if they were very self-conscious that they were being recorded. That last little ‘oomph’ to put them over the top is missing. Maybe hooking up with a different producer or engineer would be a good idea. Or you could do what I’ve done, and simply put on your headphones, turn on the bass boost, and crank it up.

It’s unfortunate, because the Burning Brides have all the other elements to succeed. Perhaps those who haven’t seen them live will fail to see my complaint. — Goon

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