House of Brothers – Document 1 EP

Proving that an awful band name does not necessarily mean bad music, the second EP from House of Brothers is a sturdy blend of electric folk, four songs that get slower and slower song by song. What started out as a solo project by guitarist Andrew Jackson has now evolved into a four piece, and it has been a while since their last release, the EP Dead Man coming out back in September 2007. On Document 1, the opening title track is a complicated sounding arrangement and possibly the weakest track in the collection, where the first rule of falsetto (only do it if you are actually capable) is sadly not adhered to, leaving the vocal rather strangled and vulnerable. It's a shame, as the EP's conclusion 'Oh Please Let Me Sleep' just sounds like a different band - a delicate, moving melody with sparse instrumentation and a commanding vocal performance reminiscent of Doves.The two tracks in the middle are also strong, in particular 'Broken Blossoms' with pungent guitar spraying melody all over the place. 'The Twilight of Idol' shuffles and shimmies, enlivened with a gentle cello and sprinkles of piano. On the whole this is Ok, which is no great recommendation - there is nothing earth shattering here, but the closing number shows that there is the germ of something special at least. 57%House of Brothers on MySpace