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Brain Thrust Mastery wouldn't exist without the '80s, but We Are Scientists offer up more than just retro-rock, even when they get as danceable as The Killers.
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Just because Brain Thrust Mastery doesn’t attempt to shoehorn some hamfisted social commentary or poverty-ending rhetoric into its 11 tracks doesn’t make it lightweight indie fluff; far from it–-We Are Scientists are serious about having fun.
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It’s a mixed bag then: sometimes they hit bull’s-eye, other times they miss the board altogether, but the erratic results reveal a band dragging themselves out of their comfort zone.
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Alternative PressWhile such eclecticism usually plays better across the pond, it's hard to resist the nimble melodies and kinetic enthusiasm the Scientists put on display, even if the authenticity is somewhat suspect. [July 2008, p.158]
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Under The RadarWe Are Scientists hit all the right notes--albeit in a most self-deprecating tone. [Summer 2008, p.90]
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Things get really sketchy, in the sense that most of the tunes are just that, sketches, with an arrangement or melodic idea worth pursuing that doesn't reach high enough.
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It's another guilty pleasure from an album that sacrifices identity in a scramble for catchy tunes.
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UncutIn a world of fast thrills, WAS remain admirably opaque. [Apr 2008, p.109]
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MojoWe Are Scientists now sound less like a band you might have seen on a bill with Bloc Party. [Apr 2008, p.112]
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There are some solid album tracks that recall the more daring aspects of the debut, particularly the abstract, dark-hued cool of the opener, "Ghouls," and the catchy and energetic "Tonight." But the rest of Brain Thrust Mastery consists of pleasantly tuneful pop songs that barely register with the listener even after several repetitions.
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Q MagazineAmazingly Brain Thrust Mastery manages to be both calculating and emotional in the same breath. [Apr 2008, p.117]
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The Brooklyn band’s innate charm and accessibility allows forgiveness of its near-abandonment of bass-driven new wave.
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The album certainly excells when the faux-accent is beaming British. When it isn't, the album can grow monotonous but overall, Brain Thrust Mastery keeps the trash smelling absolutley delightful.
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Murray doesn't sound like he's going anywhere but straight home after last call. [June 2008, p.119]
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Their copycat approach is a bit too formulaic - it seems they've lost their kooky chemistry found on the first album. Though these new tracks are enjoyable enough and may give the band more of a mainstream audience, there's nothing mind-blowing on the Scientists' latest experiment.
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As far as mainstream pop-rock records go, Brain Thrust Mastery occasionally gets the job done.
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None of it stops you longing after the energy and charm of their debut.
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Brain Thrust Mastery eschews the scenester party-and-sex themes of the band's sorta-breakthrough "With Love and Squalor" for more grown-up subject matter.
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Brain Thrust Mastery contains a lot more variety than its predecessor, which, although enjoyable, blended together at times.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 68 out of 78
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Mixed: 3 out of 78
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Negative: 7 out of 78
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NathanGMay 17, 2008
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DavidA.May 16, 2008