The
Crabs
' second album on
Calvin Johnson
's
K
records continued the duo's unique mix of guitar, drums, and vocals that began on their debut,
Jackpot
.
Lisa Jackson
continues her drumming duties, singing an understated and composed lead vocal on songs like
"Sad Song"
and
"Speechless."
John Lunsford
's vocals on songs like
"Anything & Everything"
energize the band's musical repertoire. His vocals are similar to
Johnson
's in
Beat Happening
, despite the music being an extra dose of
pop
. On the title track, listeners get the first example of the duo's uncanny harmonies. The harmonizing is more focused and clean on
"Unforgivable."
Just when the musical ingredients seem predictable, the band offers
"Prom Night,"
an instrumental number with
Ryan Stotz
on saxophone. Songs like
"Meltdown"
"Speechless"
are classic
, led by
Lunsford
's crunchy guitar work and his baritone vocals. While most of the songs on
Brainwashed
are straightforward
indie rock
, focusing on the frustrations of everyday life,
"Jean Paul Sartre"
is a catchy, almost biographical song about the Nobel Prize-winning philosopher. The album ends with another instrumental, the edgy
"Quicksand."
The album was recorded at
Moon Studios
in Oregon.
Pat Maley
of
Yo Yo Recordings
performs organ and bells on the album. ~ Stephen Cramer