User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Give Blood
by
Give Blood Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: Brakes is an often-jokey, garage-rock side project for British Sea Power keyboardist Eamon Hamilton, who here steps to the forefront, playing guitar and handling lead vocals. Joining him are members of Electric Soft Parade and Tenderfoot on 16 tracks that range from six seconds to 3:39 in length.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    91
    Some observers classify these ditties "country-punk," while other crankily insist they're "anti-folk," proving mainly that nobody knows what to make of simple little guitar-band songs on a scene where everyone's busy refining his or her artistic vision.
  2. Dot Music
    80
    You can't help feeling that, with a little less self-indulgence and a bit more camp brilliance, Brakes could be the side project that turned into something special.
  3. Blender
    80
    Stupid-brilliant punk rock. [Dec 2005, p.147]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Splendid
    70
    The music is comfortable, lacking the self-conscious over-rehearsed feeling of other new bands.
  5. Mojo
    70
    Brakes give the likeable impression of being a jokey jamming session at a party that got out of hand. [Aug 2005, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Neumu.net
    70
    When they play, they sound confident and sloppy. When they sing, they sound sincere and sarcastic. They crunch and slash like early punk, toy with country like The Mekons, and use chiming melodies like indie rock. And all fastened together by a combination of mockery and carelessness, they come out with something that could easily stand up against any of the favorite rock 'n' roll records you turn to for a good time.
  7. Dusted Magazine
    20
    If you took away the melodica, the masks and the mystery of a band like Clinic, you’d be left with a Brakes; competent, middle-of-the-road, going nowhere fast.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. MaxJ
    Jan 28, 2006
    10
    Outstanding
  2. VanderV
    Sep 14, 2005
    9
    It´s very funny and much better than the last British Sea Power album. It was recorded in 5 days!!!
  4. tedl
    Oct 3, 2005
    8
    The one bad review I've seen of Brakes was likely written by a members of a band/scene skewered on GIVE BLOOD. This is a collection of The one bad review I've seen of Brakes was likely written by a members of a band/scene skewered on GIVE BLOOD. This is a collection of brief, abrasive pop songs that provide anecdotal commentary -- nothing too deep, but generally spot-on observations that are not often noted. I could do with a little less twang on the next one, to which I am looking forward.… Expand
  5. RobbinL
    Oct 14, 2005
    7
    Primarily rewarding, if not silly. The catchiness is undeniable on some, and some seem just plain amateur. The nod to the JAMC is a pleasant Primarily rewarding, if not silly. The catchiness is undeniable on some, and some seem just plain amateur. The nod to the JAMC is a pleasant gesture, but Ms. Sandoval has got nothing to fear. Overall, I would compare it to an average episode of Night Court. A decent portion of Dan and Harry with just a little Bull.… Expand
  6. JC
    Oct 27, 2005
    4
    I saw the Brakes live at Mean Fiddler the other night and to be honest I found it quite bad. As far as melodies go, it's not mediocre, I saw the Brakes live at Mean Fiddler the other night and to be honest I found it quite bad. As far as melodies go, it's not mediocre, but there's really nothing exciting about it. However, the lead singer should really take up singing lessons, and I'm not even sure that would be enough to overcome his appalling singing capabilities. It's like hearing Arcade Fire gone horribly wrong. Definitely hear it before you decide to buy it!… Expand

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
87 Bite Down - Rosali
All Current Music »