Brigades – Our Lives Unfold EP (Out Now via Pure Noise Records)

Brigades should be more familiar to most following the success of their popular 2013 ‘Crocodile Tears’ EP and subsequent tours, South Carolina pop-punk band Brigades arrive with their latest new acoustic EP titled Our Lives Unfold via Pure Noise Records.

“’Our Lives Unfold’ was a little project that Charlie [Jackson] and I have been wanting to do for a while to show a different/softer side to the Brigades,” adds Young. “Things just never worked out in earlier attempts. We recorded this in the middle of recording our full-length. We’re a couple of night owls, so we figured we’d just knock it out while we had the time. We’d been working really hard, so it added some fun to the mix. I’m proud of it and grateful for the opportunity to get that out.

The four-track EP before the play button is pressed has me slightly worried as to how much energy and spirit might go missing for the pair, going more acoustic, as the release starts with ‘The Writing On The Wall’ as the acoustic chords wash against harsher vocals to good effect. Alas the format of the EP seems stet for more of a busker style only with with two guitars and the odd vocal juggling or over-dub. Still hopeful, ‘Small  Time Crooks’ sounds a better marriage of attitude and acoustic guitar. The songs do highlight Brigades vocals well, but I can’t help miss the drums, electrification and stuff, call me anti-traditionalist or unfashionable, but each to their own. ‘Bruiser’ sounds good and it’s not as if this EP is not of appeal, clearly  ‘Our Lives Unfold’ EP will become cherished, but see them live and you’ll agree it may be better to mix up both worlds, who said there should be a clear line between different approaches? As we used to say plugged or unplugged, whatever. Pleased, if not overwhelmed that Brigades release a worthy acoustic EP. 7.3/10

Steve Janes