21 Nov 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Breaks Co-op - Sounds Familiar Album Review

15 Dec 2013 // A review by Alistar3000

I’ve had mixed feelings about Breaks Co-op since their second album The Sound Inside was released in 2006. I’d been a big fan of their 1997 debut Roofers and had expected them to continue with that downbeat trip hop sound that worked so well for them. Instead The Sound Inside ended up being quite a different kettle of fish (or collection of songs).

Their latest release, Sounds Familiar, coming 7 years after The Sound Inside sees them again going in a different direction. There are bits of both albums in Sounds Familiar (helping it live up to its title) but also a new sound, that reminds me of light 70’s pop. It’s most evident on the title track, but also pops up (no pun intended) in other songs.

On first listen I was a little surprised by the album, as it started with quite a dark tone on the track All This Time and I expected it to continue. On further listens I came to appreciate the different tones running through the 10 tracks and enjoyed the album more with each listen.

The standouts for me would have to be All This Time – I love that dark downbeat sound – and Lovelost, which almost mimics TrinityRoots, but never sounds like a rip off of them (well, maybe just a little).

If you really got into The Sound Inside then my guess is you’re going to enjoy Sounds Familiar as well. If you weren’t such a big fan of the last album, then it’s worth giving Sounds Familiar a listen, as the sound is different enough that it may pique your interest in the band.

Sounds Familiar
View Track Listing
 

About Breaks Co-op

Breaks Co-Op was formed by Zane Lowe (previously Urban Disturbance) and Hamish Clark in 1997. Hamish and Zane released the electronic album Roofers in 1997 before they both left New Zealand to travel and pursue other interests.

When Zane Lowe and Hamish Clark discovered the voice of Andy Lovegrove, they knew it was the signature instrument they needed to complete the recording project they’d begun in New Zealand and transported to the UK on their OE adventure.

The result of their musical meeting was The Otherside, lead single from Breaks Co-Op’s second album The Sound Inside.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Breaks Co-op

Releases

Sounds Familiar
Year: 2013
Type: Album
The Sound Inside
Year: 2005
Type: Album
Roofers
Year: 1997
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Alistar3000

Primacy - Single Review: Shade Black
15 Oct 2015 // by Alistar3000
Auckland 5-piece Primacy are one of those bands that don’t try and hide their influences; their new single Shade Black is a healthy blend of all that was good about ‘90s rock, and that’s not a bad thing. Starting out with a Tool-like intro that soon gives way to a heavier, chugging riff, the song maintains a freshness and urgency throughout.
Read More...
Cairo Knife Fight - Album review: The Colossus
11 Jun 2015 // by Alistar3000
Having seen Cairo Knife Fight perform live many times over the past few years I’d always been under the assumption they were performing songs from a number of prior recordings. So I was a little surprised to discover that The Colossus was actually their first album (they do have a few EPs recorded), and more surprised to find that long time guitarist Aaron Tokona (AHoriBuzz) was no longer a key part of the band, and makes only a small appearance on the album – with that revelation I didn’t know what to expect when I pressed play.
Read More...
Mel Parsons - Album Review: Drylands
05 May 2015 // by Alistar3000
Back in 2011 I reviewed Mel Parsons' second album Red Grey Blue and enjoyed it – it had some well written songs, was well produced, and was easy to listen to. When I first popped in her latest album Drylands, I thought she’d taken a bit of a different path to the alt-country that dominated her first album.
Read More...
Album Review: Tahuna Breaks Live 10
02 Apr 2015 // by Alistar3000
It’s hard to believe that Tahuna Breaks is celebrating 10 years making music together, although they do seem to have always been around, and I guess if anyone’s going to be keeping a record of how long they’ve been making their brand of funkified reggae, it’d be them. To celebrate the occasion they’ve release Tahuna Breaks Live 10 – 10 tracks spanning their career, recorded live last year at a one-off concert to celebrate the milestone (so I guess the album should actually be called 10 + 6 months).
Read More...
State Of Mind - EP Review: Until The World Ends
12 Feb 2015 // by Alistar3000
Auckland drum and bass duo State of Mind are no strangers to collaboration, having worked with the likes of Tiki Taane and PNC to craft some big hitting tracks that achieved a lot of airplay. This time round they’re working with the trio from Black Sun Empire, hailing out of the Netherlands, produce the heavy hitting Until The World Ends EP together.
Read More...
Album Review: Latinaotearoa in Latinoamerica
09 Dec 2014 // by Alistar3000
When I started reading about the concept behind the second Latinaotearoa album it sounded like a good idea and I was quite excited to have a listen to it. If you’re not familiar with the story, Auckland musician Isaac Aesili (Solaa, Opensouls, Eru Dangerspiel, Funkommunity) teamed up once again with Venezualan singer Jennifer Zea, and Brazilian-born DJ Bobby Brazuka, to research and write a bunch of songs in Brazil, then record the album of Latin-influenced tunes in Brazil and Auckland with guest appearances by some great musicians (such as Raiza Biza, Julien Dyne, Riki Gooch and Miguel Fuentes) – what should, on paper, lead to some great experimentation and crossovers of styles.
Read More...
Beastwars Live at San Fran, Wellington 10/10/2014
21 Oct 2014 // by Alistar3000
I was finding it hard to believe that it’d been over 18 months since I last saw Beastwars play in Wellington as I stumbled on down to the newly refurbished San Fran in Wellington last week. I’m not sure why it’d taken me so long to go back to Wellington’s number one metal (or at least heavy rock) band, especially since they’d never disappointed me before.
Read More...
Into Orbit - Caverns Album Review
24 Aug 2014 // by Alistar3000
Wellington two piece noisemakers Into Orbit have an appropriate name for the kind of music they’ve created on their new album Caverns; it’s spacey feeling, often out there and is sure to take off. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect from the album before listening to it (or even if I’d like it at all), but came away a devoted fan after having it on constant repeat for a couple of days while I explored everything it had to offer (I’m still not there yet, not even close).
Read More...
View All Articles By Alistar3000

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem