[cd review]

The Bruises, Motion Light (ep)

Black Heart Blue Starr Music ASCAP, 2010-2011

Reviewed by My Nguyen

With an addictive and catchy sound, The Bruises’ EP release, Motion Light, is a piece of work driven by hypnotic melodies that is reminiscent of a current release from a top-notch band. Raw and uninhibited, and thoroughly entitled to provoke you with their songs about a no-frills relationship, these ladies dark yet melodious style is as tight-knit as it is fronted with brazen energy.

The Bruises broke into the San Fransisco Bay-area scene in 2001 when Jen Black met acoustic-singer and songwriter Aja Blue—which explains the wounded reference—and started an acoustic-duo together. They brought forth genuine rock energy to their live acoustic performances that paved the way to their edgier sound evident in their latest EP. Ditching their acoustic guitars for electric instruments as well as the addition of two newer members, Wendy Brents and Tamara Waite, The Bruises are more than willing to share their gift to the world in Motion Light.

These user-abuser songs here are hard to shake from the mind even once the EP is over. There is a certain spark to the EP, demonstrating that The Bruises are grounded in deep potential. In “Mean What You Say,” the #3 track to the EP, the band’s layered harmonized vocals convey a sense of loss over a relationship that is in decline. The sweet voice juxtaposed with the lyrically oppressive topic exhibits a slice of history with those involved. Instead of rehashing an old and contrived storyline, the words to the song are refreshing and supply a distinct jolt that provides a much needed catharsis for listeners going through the same thing. Fundamentally sound, the title-track mends the rougher edges of the EP and displays a softer side to The Bruises. Like the entire CD, “Motion Light” develops on an incline but once the rush hits, the impact is immediate and full-forced. Motion Light will leave you reeling from its emotive quality and eagerly looking forward to The Bruises next full-length release.

thebruises.com
facebook.com/thebruises

The Bruises

Leave a Reply