Search - Brookville :: Life in the Shade

Classy melodic pop for discerning ears

Eric J. Anderson | Ankeny, Iowa | 09/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Overall, Life In The Shade is a step forward from Brookville's previous CD, Wonderfully Nothing. Although Brookville's debut hit some very high points in songs like Summer Parade and This Is How It Ends, it was a little uneven.



Life In The Shade shows progress in almost every way. The songwriting is consistently good (except for the final two tracks, which never took for me). The production is better -- there were spots in Wonderfully Nothing that I thought were a little threadbare, and could use some sweetening. On Life In The Shade, Brookville knows when to add lushness and complexity, and they know when to lay back and let simplicity reign.



Most importantly, they know how to add drama and tension. So many bands I hear start out a song and continue at the same volume with the same instrumentation, grinding away without relief for four or five minutes. Brookville songs ebb and flow, build up and release, with a sense of intelligence -- a sense that the producers and mixers know how to communicate feeling to the listener with sonic variety, instead of monotony.



If you haven't heard Brookvillle, the following references might give you an idea of their sound. Andy Chase, the lead vocalist and chief songwriter, sounds perhaps like Art Garfunkel with a little less breathiness, a little more body. The songs have melodies and conventional rhythms. The lyrics are evocative, but not too concrete. A variety of acoustic and electric guitars and keyboards flesh out these tracks, and repeated listenings will reveal small embellishments, tricky little parts inserted here or there at a reduced level in the mix, adding texture and balance. Styles range from pop-rock to bossa nova. Most of the songs are mid-tempo, and the songs can be a little sad. Nothing edgy here, at least in the indie sense. For me, that's a good thing. Gone are the experimental electronic instrumentals which made up half of the first album.



This is a classy record. In a world of pop music that has moved increasingly toward simplicity, beat, and vulgarity, Brookville follows the course of restraint, melody, subtlety, and a little sentimentality. Probably a major label would have absolutely no use for this. So give Andy Chase credit. He started his own independent label, he co-owns a studio with Ivy bandmate Adam Schlesinger, and he can release whatever he deems worthwhile. The catalog number here is Unfiltered Records UNF-009. Other Unfiltered releases include the fantastic first EP and first two full length albums from Ivy. Let's hope for more quality from this little label, to entertain us as the four multinational music conglomerates concentrate on the lowest common denominator. Brookville certainly entertains, Life In The Shade is worthy of repeated listens, and honestly these guys should be producing other major musical acts. If I ruled the world, they would be."

If You're Looking to Catch Your Breath

Adam Francis | Toronto, Canada | 01/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ivy has always been my favourite band and I tend to await all of their albums and side projects with baited breath...



...and the newest Brookville release keeps this trend alive.



Ivy has always been masterful at capturing various moods, (especially those of the pensive, sun-setting on the horizon, stay indoors and read in bed type) and Life in the Shade spins a reflective and ambient tale from start to finish.



Highlights include the subtle horn-driven "Golden" and "Nothing's Meant to Last" in which he enlists some help from his wife and Ivy's lead singer Dominique Durand.



But the album in its entirety is comprised of flavourful arrangements and some of the best song-writing this side of Ben Lee which makes it one of 2006 best new releases."

Elegant pop with a lot of soul in it

manueldsottir | 07/23/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I found about Andy Chase thanks to myspace. I had no idea of his previous bands and his work as a producer. I bought this record because I liked what I heard on Brookville's myspace.

This is some very elegant music. It's got a seventies feel to it that traps you from the very first track. If you like smooth, classy pop, you should have a listen and then buy this record."