I tend to frequent coffeeshops as I have found they’re a great place to write and after awhile they start to feel like home. However, rarely do I have an album that seems just as at home in the coffeeshop as I do. Now what is good coffeeshop music you may ask? Well, obviously not of the metal or techno persuasion. Rather it’s most likely Indie-Rock, Folk, or some completely new fantastic sound. And Little Brazil is one of those bands that falls in the latter category.

After first being introduced to Little Brazil back in 2007, with their release Tighten The Noose I was pleasantly surprised to find a band that had a type of enthusiasm typically seen in 10 year olds out on the playground. So when I heard that their new album, Son, was on the verge of release, I had high hopes. From the first song “Brighton Beach," I’m instantly in the mood for an ice cream sunday (with sprinkles, of course) and some time on the swings. The coolest part of this song is the fact that it’s a love story, complete with details of the place where they met all the way to the wedding dress and the birth of their “son.” It could be argued that, in an indirect way, THIS is the title track to the album, based on the content of the lyrics. The second coolest part of the song is definitely in the organ. That, along with the chipper guitar, only seems appropriate with the general tone of the song. So I’m going to move down to the actual title track off the album, coming in at the #3 spot. “Son” throws a little different feeling into the mix. The tempo is insanely fast, yet somehow you’re still able to easily hear and relate to the lyrics. The guitar work is reminiscent of an 80’s bands: chord progressions and guitar riffs are high pitched, yet fairly simplistic. Next, “Wasting Time” catches my attention and mostly because of similarity that pops out around the chorus. There’s a point when the progression leads up and I expect to hear “don’t try to say we can’t, yes I can!” Lyrics that stem from one of the hits written by a band called .Moneen. Now I realize that’s a stretch, but it’s also a good thing. That .Moneen. song is amazing, as is this Little Brazil one. Yet again on this song, the lyrics play such an important role: they speak to the raising of the “son” that was born in the first song.

Because I like to skip, I skipped on this album (why break tradition?). I went down to “Separated” because, from the first few moments, it seems as though the album had morphed from coffeeshop to a country bar. The notes are long and drawn (out, that is). The guitar is still electric, yet seems stuck on just a few notes. The image of a metal finger pick sliding over the strings comes to mind. Minus a twang in the lead singer’s voice, this song definitely needs a cowboy hat.

If you’re going to end an album, what better way to do it than on some kind of a trippy-sounding journey? That’s totally what the song “Gold” is. Between the new computer effects, a guitar that’s set on an echo stage, and lead vocals that slowly creep into your subconscious, this is one crazy journey. It ends itself, and the album, in a total, all out jam sesh. Nicely played.

Tighten The Noose was just a touch more energetic than Son, yet I believe that Son has more depth and creativity. Both great albums in their own ways; in the end, though, my vote goes for the family story.

Review by: Rachel Fredrickson

Additional links:
- Little Brazil's Website
- Little Brazil on Myspace