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Tooth & Nail Records drops "The Brothers Martin" on January 23rd, a truly joyful collaboration from two prolific songwriters who had the good fortune to be born brothers.
The two Martin brothers are better known for their individual accomplishments than any musical union between them. Ronnie’s band, Joy Electric, runs along the experimental-synth-analog-pop line, and Jason’s indie-pop group, Starflyer 59, follows a different path completely. Between them they have over twenty releases to their credit. So when the time seemed ripe for a sibling collaboration, they composed these ten singles separately and them brought them to one another for additional input. The result is an album of songs that contain the best of both worlds: I’m hard-pressed to label it, but if up against the wall, I’d call it post-punk techno-pop. To put it more succinctly, it’s catchy stuff. “The Brothers Martin” opens with “Communication,” its looming guitars riffing over percolating space sounds letting you know immediately that you’ve entered a dark thrill ride. Its beats are hard to resist, containing a strongly hypnotic quality that continues into “The Harsh Effect.” There is an odd guitar used on this track that will haunt me endlessly, its rhythmic beats laying down a solid foundation for the song’s analog delights, but without the full credits I’m in the dark as to its name. But the mysteries of “The Brothers Martin” only add to its dark appeal. “The Plot That Weaves” stands out for its melodic up-tempo pop chords. The airy vocals fly you to a note-bending bridge, never letting the energy level drop for a second. Sunny keys open “Fears to Remember” over an 80s disco beat, very vintage. Actually, much of the hook-rich CD has a retro feel, from the synth riffs to the addictive beats. “Behavior Explains” is a straight-up club track, and the frenetic keys of “Opportunities” pump out a strong new-wave feel. “The Brothers Martin” is not your standard Tooth and Nail fare, but its uniqueness is only part of its rich, spooky beauty. The rest comes from the buoyant joy that drips from these creative, infectious tracks.
The copyright of the article The Brothers Martin in Christian Music is owned by Kevan Breitinger. Permission to republish The Brothers Martin in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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