Brown&Blue

‘Second Chances’
Self-Released

So often when I hear a band, its influences date back only four or five years, referencing the bands that listened to the bands that copied the original band. This dilution of the original spark usually means we’re left with an inferior product. Fortunately, this isn’t the case with Long Beach five-piece Brown&Blue. Second Chances takes us on a tour of Brown&Blue’s record collection, heading straight to original source materials with sounds that echo the late ’60s Rolling Stones, a little CCR, some Big Star and a dash of the vocal stylings of Paul Westerberg.

It’s a thoughtful and passionate record—and what’s more, singer Danny Nogueiras actually sounds like he’s having fun. Standout tracks such as “Wasting Life” and “History” contain an undeniable urgency; these are boot-stomping anthems that you will be humming for days to come. And while the record drags in places, it is still a complete work from front to back.

I was once told that the way to create music or literature is to take something that everyone loves and just change it a little bit to put your own spin on it. The man who told me this knew what he was talking about, and it seems that Brown&Blue are living by this mantra, too. Second Chances sounds like an original voice, a real piece of the band’s heart, while still reminding us of those bands we love from times long gone. Instead of donning the fringe jackets and floppy hats of our rock ‘n’ roll heroes and playing pretend like so many bands that tackle this era of music do, Brown&Blue give a nod to those that have come before and have done it so well and then make it their own. Good for you, guys. The world needs more of this.

BROWNBLUE.BIGCARTEL.COM AND GIMMESOUND.COM/BROWNANDBLUE

Tags: album review, brown&blue, Long Beach, Music