BRAAM
Madelaine (www.braammusic.com)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Three years after the release of Gravity & The Right To Fly, Braam is back with something that's a bit different. Madelaine is a story with quite a bit of religious content, though people with a phobia of such things shouldn't curl up into a defensive posture just yet. I'm not big on heavy religious messages myself, but mostly because 99.9% of the "rock" albums delivering them have no power and nothing to sink your teeth into unless you're satisfied simply having a religious message to listen to.

In the case of Madelaine, there are rock songs aplenty, featuring fine performances from a band that just keeps getting better (though, sadly and unfairly, no better known on the national scene). Tom Braam is now a complete vocalist, no longer just improving his ability to sing; he now has command of the song, instinctively knowing where to put the accents and the pauses, when to lay back and when to pour it on. The songwriting, which is done by all three Braam brothers (Mike [bass], Scott [lead guitar] and Tom), has matured as well. Songs like "Trying To Apologize" and "Ain't No Love In Your Rock and Roll" are fully realized and radio ready, and "Evangelical Scene" is just plain fun, old fashioned rock and roll. "Wheaten College" is the albums stunner, a beautifully crafted, moving moment of introspection. Though the song is slow and gentle, the sound is enormous, as if it were coming from a dream.

Once again I ask, as do more and more fans and critics every time these guys put out an album, what the hell does it take to get signed in Chicago?


[You can find this disc at CD Baby.]

© 2005 - DJ Johnson