Algorithm & Blues
Creative Destruction, 2022
8/10
A precisely layered and lively effort, Motihari Brigade, an outfit spearheaded by the UK songwriter and guitarist Eric Winston, bring us 12 originals and 1 cover of their Orwell inspired ‘Rock-N-Roll Thoughtcrime on this 2nd album.
The title track gets the listen off to an energetic start with soaring guitar and plenty of rhythmic, gritty rock that’s indeed bluesy, and “Reality Show” follows with soulful and bright horns complementing the breezy melodies that are textured playfully.
Near to the middle, the thumping drums of “Identity Theft” helps balance the loud versus soft moments of thoughtful song craft, while “Minefields And Downfalls” benefits much from dreamy acoustic guitar in the flowing climate.
Making our ways towards the end, “Too Big To Fail” is a loud, festive rocker that’s big on horns, drums and guitars, and “Morningstar” exits the listen with an intimate spirit of nostalgic, hazy rock that sounds like could have been birthed in the ‘60s.
You’d be hard pressed to find anyone out there who sounds like Motihari Brigade, and their thinking person’s music is just as thought provoking and musically powerful here as their excellent debut.
Travels well with: Motihari Brigade- Power From Below; G. Love- The Juice