File download is hosted on Megaupload
Release date: April 13, 2017
Running time: 28:06, 9 tracks
Almost 4 years have passed by between “Beating Beyond the Folk Ashes” and “Hueso y madera”. Brutus’ Daughters have had a small line-up change and the new incarnation of the band is Brutus’ Daughters Mark IV. Rak, the bass player on their second album, left the band and Diego came in. However, Brutus’ Daughters never look back and finally they’ve been able to release a new album. Differences? First of all, the artwork. Previous albums’ artworks have been made by Txori, but Brutus’ Daughters felt that a new approach was needed. They have also recorded “Hueso y madera” in a better studio, Corleone, working with Chifly. Regarding the sound, Alex sounds angrier on some of the tracks and maybe the fiddle has a major role than the pipes on some tracks. Anyway, the attitude, the lyrics, the female backing vocals and the fiddle and bagpipes parts are still present.
“Hueso y madera” kicks off with “De hueso y madera (From Bone and Wood)”. This amazing instrumental features the band’s classic sound and is one of the highlights on the CD. The closing number is another outstanding track: “Brazen”. “Brazen” is the only number in English (another “big” difference with previous releases). It’s an old number that the band wrote when Alex joined the band some years ago. Alex felt that it was worth recording the song and I must say that she was right. The song reminds me of “Raising”, from their second album, because of the catchy backing vocals. Besides, there is a hidden track (sort of) when the song is over, a fantastic Asturian tune where Xipla on bagpipes, Lorena on fiddle and Rebe on percussion make a great job.
Obviously, “Unidad (Unity)” will be one of the fans’ faves. This infectious number features the following guests on vocals: Pitxe (ex-Brutus’ Daughters) in Asturian, Iván from True Mountains in Galician, Pimen from Milenrama in Catalonian and Hibai from Deiedra in Basque. Nevertheless, I also love ”Cárcel (Jail)” and “Carretera (Road)”. IMHO, track 7 is the best song on “Hueso y Madera”, and excellent fiddle punk number that differs from any other track. On the other hand, “Carretera” is a lively song about weekends and gigs in other towns. “Siguen existiendo” has a great chorus too and the band is really tight.
As Brutus’ Daughters are active fighting against domestic violence and discrimination based on sex or race, several numbers dealt with these subjects: the single “Verdugo (Executioner)”, a rough at the edges punk goes metal song; “6-4 6-3 6-3”, where women have to play the three sets against a stronger rival, men, but women beat them; and “A lo lejos (Far away)”, a kick-ass song about emigration, featuring Alex on cello.
As usual, “Hueso y madera” is available for free on Bandcamp under a Creative Commons license. Nevertheless, I suggest that you should buy the physical CD. It comes in a jewel case with an 8 page booklet.
“Hueso y madera” is a great news for the folk-punk scene. The combat folk band from Madrid have had their ups and downs, but they have always risen like a phoenix from the ashes.
1. De hueso y madera 01:14
2. Siguen existiendo 03:09
3. Carretera 03:03
4. A lo lejos 04:00
5. Unidad 03:24
6. 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 02:30
7. Cárcel 03:25
8. Verdugo 02:58
9. Brazen 04:19
Click to buy:
Review by Kinksmarkham
DOWNLOAD:
