The Briefs – Steal Yer Heart

I remember last year when The Briefs released their third album, Sex Objects. It was the first time I had really heard of the band, but every time I did hear about the band and the album it was accompanied by glowing praise. Despite all that praise and fuss surrounding the band, I still never got around to picking up the album, and then a I soon forgot about the band completely. That is, until I heard about Steal yer Heart. Then all the hullabaloo came flowing back, and I figured it was time I actually gave the band a listen.

Ripping the album out of its package, I quickly threw it into my CD player so that I could finally hear what all the fuss was about. I played it once. I played it twice. I played it three times. Then I started wondering about all this fuss. I couldn’t really see why they were getting all the praise they were. Sure, it was catchy, but I just couldn’t understand it. But I refused to give up, and I played it a few more times, always looking for the source of the hype.

… and that’s where I went wrong. Because really, The Briefs aren’t a band that you should examine. You should just listen to it, play it, and enjoy it for what it is. Simple, catchy, pop-punk reminiscent of the late ’70s UK pop-punk sound. Nasally, hoarse, vocals laced through upbeat, catchy, energetic melodies backed up with the occasional sing-along choruses. And that’s what it is. It is fun pop-punk, with no gimmicks or traps. Just straight forward pop songs about dysfunctional love, writing pop songs and every day mischief.

So even though I still can’t quite see where all the fuss came from, I can see a bit of it. I mean, you can’t help but sing along with songs like Forty And Above or Normal Jerks. I guess I just need to accept it for what it is – a simplistic, fun, nasally, pop-punk album – and not over analyze it.