the Brannock Device - "The
Turtle Has Got It Made"
Phantom
Limb Records
Kansas City's the Brannock Device took roughly four years between Where The Hell Is Johnnyy Vic? and
this, their newest release.
Thankfully, rather than getting another EP, we get their first
full-length. And it contains such setlist staples as "Dowsers", "John
Henry's Hammer", and my personal favorite, "One Heck of a Shortcut."
"One Heck of a Shortcut" (as most of the Brannock Device's tune are) is
a somewhat spazzy blues rock number that sounds as if it was stolen
from an unreleased John Waters soundtrack. The following track,
"Collector 1198" seems to be a unholy union between the Dead Milkmen
and a blues bar band.
Frankly, I'm at a loss to describe the band. their website sums it up
best, I think, saying that they are "rock and/or roll." It's about the
best words are ever going to get with this act. Frankly, while the cd
is good, it falls into that horrible "their live show is SO much
better" category. Still, an essential disc for fans of the band.