- Release Info -------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: Brian Larsen
Album: Breaking
Label: Protocol
Playtime: 48:55 min
Genre: Indie
URL: http://www.myspace.com/twilightsmoon
Rip date: 2009-07-01
Street date: 2009-08-04
Size: 73.76 MB
Type: Normal
Quality: 200 kbps / 4410kHz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
On August 4, 2009, Brian Larsen will release first solo album, Breaking.
Larsen has previously released 7 albums, 2 EPs and a number of singles under
the band name of TwilightÆs Moon. Currently 23 years old, the Baltimore,
Maryland resident recorded and released his first album at the age of 11, and
has even produced for the band All-American Rejects.
Breaking is an album with distinct pluses and minuses. Larsen has a talent
for subdued yet peppy Folk/Pop/Rock songs that are pleasant to listen to. His
voice is strong and clear with a touch more vibrato than you generally hear
in Pop music but it works for him. Larsen tends toward a monochromatic
writing style (i.e. Hang On), relying on repetition and persistence to
reinforce his ideas. Larsen sounds a bit like Paul Simon at times and uses
that same understated, almost repressed vocal style that Simon has used at
times throughout his career. Songs like Stay Or Break, Frozen and Hang On
have strong pop sensibilities. Stand My Ground shows Larsen breaking out his
serious songwriter aspect. Imagine a mildly aggressive Toad The West Sprocket
here. There's the occasional bomb as well, such as Open Heart, but generally
any deficits on Breaking revolve around charisma. Regardless of a person's
ability to present live, some folks just don't come across as dynamic on
recorded medium (similar to some people just don't photograph well). This may
be the case with Brian Larsen, or it may be an issue to lay solidly at the
feet of the producer (also Larsen). Either way, there is a flatness that
comes across at times throughout Breaking that may put off some listeners.
Brian Larsen has made a strong effort with Breaking. His voice is very
enjoyable and his songwriting is generally quite strong. A few of the songs
presented here are better than they come across on CD, but on the whole it's
a good effort.
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. Stay Or Break ( 3:59)
02. Gotta Get You ( 3:26)
03. Frozen ( 3:13)
04. Running Out Of Breath ( 3:25)
05. Breaking ( 4:23)
06. Hold Me Down ( 4:41)
07. Hang On ( 3:50)
08. Watching The World Go By ( 4:09)
09. Stand My Ground ( 3:23)
10. Open Heart ( 3:39)
11. Watching You Fall ( 3:32)
12. Will You Remember Me? ( 3:07)
13. In The Winter ( 4:08)
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