Before Braille

The Rumor

Before Braille, "The Rumor," (Aezra/Liquid 8/BMG). 3 stars A very refreshing, smart and often blinding blend of pummeling hard rock, rich harmonies, melodic splendor and air tight arrangements flow throughout this debut set from Mesa, Arizona's Before Braille. Hailing from the same town as Jimmy Eat World, the group's got a knack for pushing its twin guitar attack to the max. With drummer Kelly Reed's throttling backbeat driving the rhythm, cuts like the lead single "Twenty Four Minus Eighteen," and the riff-riding "Goodnight Quiet Noise," carry a scorching, radio-friendly edge. Late in the disc, things quiet down a bit, with Before Braille revealing depth rare for a debut in the very infectious "When the Feeling Fades," and the acoustic flourishes of "Split Lip Envy." Big fans of Fugazi, the band also recalls acts as disparate as Cheap Trick, Gene Loves Jezebel, XTC and of course, Jimmy Eat World. Watch this crew closely in 2003, they're on the verge of a major breakthrough.

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