ECHOBRAIN
Self-titled (Chophouse/Surfdog)
Reviewed by Jason Thornberry

---

If you've kept up with the latest news on the Metallica front, it would appear that the three remaining members are chatting quietly with recently departed bassist Jason Newsted. Previously a member of Phoenix Arizona's thrash masters Flotsam and Jetsam, Newsted had already seen the inside of a sweaty tour bus when he joined our-once-metal heroes in 1986. Jason clearly knew the ropes. Having said that, I hope that if they indeed ask him back into the fold that he gives it some very, very careful deliberation, as Echobrain's recent eponymous debut easily slays what the band he was once in is awkwardly attempting now with their silk shirts, short coiffures, goatees, mascara, and wallet-chains.

Plastica are but a shell of their former selves, but Newsted has found two able jamming partners who form a consistent, shimmering power pop shell for his rhythmic, pulsing strings. Faith No More's Jim Martin, and Alternica's Kirk Hammett stop by to add guitars to a pair of tracks. I love both songs, especially Sucker Punch, which could be a sporadically belligerent Steely Dan b-side hi-jacked by Devadip (you should know his full name by now). The rest of their debut album is enthusiastic, poppy, refreshing, and uniformly tune-conscious. I don't hear any place for the palm-mute overdubs of olde either. Definitely recommended, and somebody tie Mr. Newsted to the bass drum if he tries to go anywhere.

GRADE: A-.

© 2002 - Jason Thornberry