Review: Elder Brother - Heavy Head

It seems like some of the best bands or albums right now are amalgamations of two very different bands/songwriters. Misser released the incredible “Every Day I Tell Myself I'm Going To Be a Better Person” in 2012. A few years previous, Stay Ahead of the Weather released an impressive E.P.. From Two Tongues to Isles & Glaciers; the side project can either be a boring waste of time, using songs that aren't good enough for the main band. Or the side project can be a way to allow an artist to express great material that normally wouldn't work for their primary gig. Thankfully, Elder Brother fits into the latter category. And they do it damn well.

Elder Brother is the side-project of Kevin Geyer (from The Story So Far) and Dan Rose (from Daybreaker) with additional in studio assistance from Matthew and Charles Vincent (from The American Scene). A complete 180 from their main bands, the duo’s debut album “Heavy Head” allows the band to show off their songwriting chops. This is simply two musicians making music that they love, and that passion really shines through.

The album opens with the one-two punch of “Pennsylvania” and “Throw Me To the Wolves” which are effective for establishing the group's sound. Best described as pop-punk inspired indie-emo, the instrumental works never gets too overwhelmingly technical, (think Transit-era “Listen & Forgive”) but serve as an effective backdrop for the superb lyrics that populate the songs. “Throw Me To the Wolves” in particular features the chorus of “It never rains but it poured all week. Did you think of me?”, a show ready line ready to be shouted by the masses.

Despite having the benefit of having a distinct sound, this also leads to some issues with the songs all sounding the same. There are heavily distorted guitar riffs, rather impressive bass lines and excellent drumming...but this is throughout almost all of the tracks, causing a lot of the songs to bleed together. This is broken up by tracks like “Any Sort of Plan” which features a soft playing acoustic guitar and subtle electric guitar licks in the background, allowing Rose to showcase the softer and higher side of his voice. As a standalone, this is one song that I think has the ability to reach the heights of songs such as The Story So Far's “Placeholder”. High praise indeed.

The track “Lightning Bug” returns to a more traditional Pop-Punk style with a very Balance & Composure style bridge. This and the title track have my personal favorite lyrics on the album, with the title track chorus in particular sticking with you.

“Does anybody know the best way to get home?

It's getting late and I'm afraid of my own shadow.

I should get singing before my song get's sung...

Youth is wasted on the young. ”

“Heavy Head” does have its issues with the tracklisting, with interlude “A Slow Comfortable Deep Breath” being a weak spot. Narrated by Jigsaw of SAW infamy (probably not completely accurate, but the description works), this is one you'll press skip on every time. As well, the song “Really Free” is filler. Not skip worthy, but probably the weakest overall track. (Terrible interlude notwithstanding) Thankfully the album does end on a high note with “Sunday Mornings”. Another one of the acoustic numbers, this is one that is destined for many a playlist/mixtape.

While not a perfect debut, Elder Brother is on to something special. Having some of the best music I've heard all year, “Heavy Head” is one that you should definitely not look over.

7.8/10