Sophomore Effort Delivers
Caught in the Corners is the latest offering from Perth band Bribes. The four-piece’s second album is a mature and polished effort, capturing just how far the band have come since their debut.
Opening strongly with Head, the sound fades in and quickly rises with synth-backed energy that explodes into one of the strongest tracks on the album. Ribcage follows with a nice little bassline hook opening the track, and moody organs keeping things mellow before the track builds up to a stop start chorus with some fine harmonising just a tiny bit reminiscent of a certain 90’s classic involving crash test dummies.
It is then time for a change in lead vocal duties on Pale Blue Bowl. The acoustic driven track featuring string accompaniment is short and punchy. Joined by Gidge Ridge which features lovely horns and fine guitar work, the tracks pair up nicely, starting slow and building towards a crescendo. Looking forward to seeing if the band adds the strings and horns for the album launch at The Bird (I’ve heard rumours 😉).
This middle section of the album has some excellent production – great guitar sound in particular from Ange and Aaron. Carnage works nicely with its percussive intro and excellent subdued riff. Undiagnosed goes deep into symbolism in Danyon’s youth, with a clear message many can relate to these days.
Imbue changes things up with an almost post-rock feel, if it was played at a carnival. It’s a great song to bring things back up. Paired with As a Vice we can call this the quirky section of the album, with the rhythms and arrangements getting a bit further out there than the rest of the album; it’s a nice change up.
Don’t Let It End could be called the single of the album (there are a few that could meet these criteria to be fair), and is catchy as hell with the pop synth hooks and dancey chorus. We are then hit with the punk rock of Deceased Estate, also laden with plenty of synth hooks behind Ange’s vocals and crazy horn solos.
Rounding the album out is the fine Spider and the Glass, which has a nineties alt rock feel to it that brings to mind the bands of the late nineties Aussie rock boom. It’s the longest track on the album and worth listening through to the frantic ending, sounds like a song that would translate well live.
Caught in the Corners is out now, and I strongly suggest not missing the launch at The Bird tonight which promises to be a special one with guest performers and an excellent line up of support acts.
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