Album Review: Psychic Babble - My Brother's Ears/My Sister's Eyes

After the release of his debut free EP ‘My Own Stupid Mouth’, Colin Frangicetto hasn’t left fans baiting for more for too long. Gracing our ears with the full length ‘My Brothers Ears/My Sisters Eyes’ – an album which immerses you from the very beginning, clinging onto you for its entirety and not letting you go. Not until you’ve quite literally been dragged through an almost diary account of Colin’s life through stunning and poignant musicianship.

If you had made yourself familiar with the free EP then you will settle down nicely into this debut full length release. Opening things again with the almost hazy, shoegaze pop tinged track ‘Five Fold Kiss (Don’t Sleep)’, however it’s when you delve deeper that all of these ideas that Colin has developed over the years just fall into place. Sometimes describing an album that’s tracks seem to mold together can be taken as a bad thing, yet with ‘My Brother's Ears...’ this is a factor that creates such a gem of an album. Structurally this is a stone arch bridge. Each track supports itself, from the haunting vocals of ‘Nothing Familiar’ leading into the hazy melodies of ‘Samantha’ to ‘Radio Songs’ – which let the layered guitar and electronics offer up a more indie pop approach – this album relies on its flow and perfectly crafted structure to create an ambiance and atmosphere that runs throughout. In many ways making it a true album in the purest sense, no one song will necessarily stand out amongst the rest – taking any out would detract from its seamless flow - but together they are quite majestic.

The introduction of organ keys on ‘Crocodile Tears’ is quite striking, delivering a great melody alongside Colin’s delicate vocal which add a further dynamic to the sound. And the diversity of Colin’s sound is further proven on ‘Follow Your Bliss’, demonstrating an accomplished indie-pop approach. The beauty of this release comes within its subtlety; don’t expect every track to come clawing at your feet begging for attention, this album politely offers itself up for inspection. But once you do find yourself immersed it soon delivers in a way you never thought it would. Quite a beautiful debut release which will without doubt surprise many Circa Survive fans, and just like the music he produces, diversify Colin’s fan-base.

4/5

Connor O’Brien