Another Kind of Train by the Brother Bicker Band is, above all else, authentic. With soulful, raw vocals and simple yetpersonal lyrics, the album oozes real country charm mixed with exhilarating Canadian rock. In a 2016 interview, the band describes their sound as the
“love-child of Pearl Jam, R.E.M., and the Zac Brown Band.” They couldn’t have been more spot on– the mix of country twang, thought-provoking lyrics, and soft-rock instrumentals creates a sound that is a direct descendant of the bands thathave paved the way before them. Despite this, Brother Bicker Band finds a way to make their style unique, building off oftheir references. The authenticity of the album, mixed with the addictive song composition, creates an album that is impossible to put down, cementing Brother Bicker Band’s status as an underrated up-and-comer.
The first track, “Nashville Sound,” is a perfect opener to the album. The beginning of the song eases the listener into the sound of Brother Bicker Band, with extremely low-key instrumentals. One thing that stands out immediately, however, are the powerful vocals, which are skillfully delivered by Jeremy Hrdlicka and Tom Morgan throughout the album. There is a super interesting contrast between the strong vocals and the soft instrumentals; it adds to the passionate energy of the song, which is a heartfelt and emotional love letter to Nashville. Lyrics such as “Down to the alley where I get my news // Watching the Reverend while he sings the blues // Stings like a slingshot // Stuck in the blind spot for a little while” work to communicate the familiarity that Brother Bicker Band has with Nashville. By the end of the track, the instrumentals pick up, and we get to hear some impeccable background harmonies done by Jennele Coulson and Claire Wilkes. One of Another Kind of Train’s best qualities is the background vocals done by these two– they pop up on a number of tracks and do a lot to add depth to the music.
The album’s third track, “No Straight Lines,” is absolutely addictive. The funky bassline, catchy chorus, and unique sound make it a standout from Another Kind of Train. Brother Bicker Band describes the song as a “soulful exploration of the winding, unpredictable journey that comes with searching for love.” The track’s unique composition matches that unpredictable feeling to a tee. The band manages to really show their versatility on this track, with “No Straight Lines” being by far the most energetic and unique song of the batch up to this point on the tracklist.
“Storm Chaser” is another big standout from Another Kind of Train. The track leans more into a pop-rock style as opposed to many of the other tracks on the album, which lean into the country side of Brother Bicker Band. The song definitely reflects the band’s Canadian roots, delivering signature Canadian pop-rock with a Brother Bicker Band twist.
The closing track, “Bottles,” is one of the most emotional and vulnerable of the whole album. The track tells the common tale of watching a relationship slowly fall apart, with both parties unable to make it work. The song communicates the feeling of losing control over your life, using the motif of a bottle unable to hold wind as a way to express these struggles.Through lyrics like “She looks for the hangman the letters are bare // She searches for comfort finds enmity there // Hislife is a prison, and she shares the cell // The key is long taken, and thrown in the well,” Brother Bicker Band closes out Another Kind of Train on a melancholic note. It’s a unique choice to end the album with such a pensive track, but it works to emphasize the emotional impact of the song.
Whether it be a low-key country tune, a fun pop-rock track, or an emotional ballad, Brother Bicker Band will always deliver a song that is interesting and unique to them. Their influences are clear and do shine through, but if anything, thatmakes their music stronger; they build off of the artists that inspired them to create something of their own.
By Sean Perry
