Brassbound
The Ordinary Boys · 2005
39 min · 12 tracks · indie rock
Energetic indie rock merges witty lyricism with catchy hooks and a touch of early punk spirit.
Top tracks — play these first
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Boys Will Be Boys — This track serves as a defining anthem for youthful exuberance and recklessness, capturing the band's playful yet critical take on masculinity.
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Life Will Be the Death of Me — With its sharp lyrics and infectious melody, this song highlights the band's knack for blending humor with more serious themes of existential contemplation.
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Call to Arms — This closing track shifts into a more contemplative tone, reflecting on personal struggles while maintaining an upbeat tempo that encapsulates the band's signature sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Energetic hooks and witty lyrics define this indie rock album, though it doesn't fully stand out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a punchy guitar riff that sets an energetic tone, which is maintained through the first half of the album.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the sense of engagement and interaction.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- spirited sing-alongs with friends
- steady pacing for focused listening
- youthful exuberance and disillusionment
- short bursts of catchy energy
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
- seek deep introspective experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 2005, 'Brassbound' is The Ordinary Boys' third studio album, following their breakthrough record 'Leave the Story Untold' in 2004. At this point, the band was solidifying their presence in the UK music scene after gaining significant attention for their previous work and lively performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Streets· Arctic Monkeys· Hard-Fi
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Life Will Be the Death of Me
The narrative voice oscillates between self-deprecation and defiance, creating a tension that underlines the track's theme.
The switch from light-hearted observations to deeper introspection reveals a complexity that enriches the seemingly straightforward narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Brassbound 3:02
- 2 Boys Will Be Boys 2:40
- 3 Life Will Be the Death of Me 2:21
- 4 Thanks to the Girl 2:56
- 5 On an Island 2:50
- 6 One Step Forward (Two Steps Back) 3:15
- 7 Skull Bones 2:52
- 8 Don't Live Too Fast 2:45
- 9 Call to Arms 4:01
- 10 A Few Home Truths 3:41
- 11 Rudi's in Love 3:18
- 12 Red Letter Day 5:27
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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