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Here's my Post-Standard review of Brand New Sin's "Distilled."
The power trio format flatters Brand New Sin.
Personnel changes over the past two years have pared the ....Syracuse....
hard rock band to three.
On "Distilled," guitarist-singer-producer ..Kris
Wiechmann.. proves to be a natural behind the wheel.
The band's fourth CD is crisp, clear and still full of enough sharp edges to
satisfy longtime fans of Brand New Sin's catalog.
Recorded at SubCat Music Studios in Skaneateles, with a co-producing credit
as well as added percussion work by veteran engineer and drummer Ron Keck, the dozen
songs are aimed at heart and head.
The album takes an interesting start with the bluesy "Enjoy the
Ride." Adding to the always-solid foundation of rhythm section ..Chuck
K..ahl on bass and Kevin Dean on drums, the harmonica work of
Steve Melkanos and backup vocals of Leila Dean add rich textures to Weichmann's
acoustic guitar and honest vocals.
It doesn't take long for the hard rock attack, with song two "The Death
of One Thing or Another" and then the snarling "Breaking
Bottles."
Party anthem-in-waiting "Summertime" follows with a big beat,
thunderous bass and heated-up vocals as Wiechmann sings, "She's in the red
dress looking pretty, dancing on stage to '....Paradise..
..City.....' She's got a little black box
full of money that she only made just calling me honey."
With "Down Myself," Brand New Sin tackles an issue that should
make everybody think in these troubled economic times.
Wiechmann sings to an acoustic curtain pure and simple, "Surviving on
raindrops and the crusts of bread. Sleeping on the sidewalk, hoodie hung over
my head. I've been returning bottles. Hit a run of bad road."
Then the song turns electric, full of power and relevance.
Catch a show: Brand New Sin's CD release show is 9
p.m. Friday at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse. Our 11th Hour, Feeding
Affliction and Augustine are also on the bill.
Tickets are $10.
On the Internet: www.brandnewsin.org.