The Briefs

The Briefs: Steal Yer HeartSteal Yer Heart (2005)
BYO Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

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Contributed by: adamadam
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Published on October 28th 2005The Briefs are important. They're a silly, vulgar, goofy little band that plays speedy little pop songs, yet they're important. It's because the Briefs, for me and I suspect for more than a few of you, represent an ideal. They prove that the spirit of `70s punk rock can be channelled today without h.

The Briefs are important. They're a silly, vulgar, goofy little band that plays speedy little pop songs, yet they're important. It's because the Briefs, for me and I suspect for more than a few of you, represent an ideal. They prove that the spirit of `70s punk rock can be channelled today without having to pander to the mohawk and bondage set -- to the old men -- to that street punk pattern that's hashed and rehashed every year, competent (but of course it is) yet lifeless.

It sucks being idealized, and it's not a good position for this sort of band to be in. The more they're beatified the more it heaves unnecessary weight onto their work. Steal Yer Heart hasn't grabbed me like Sex Objects did, and the more I overanalyze that, the worse it seems.

...and I'm wrong, of course. I'm wrong in overanalyzing because, if anything, the Briefs' new record reaffirms that this is just a fantastic punk band whose irreverence makes my search for meaning unnecessary -- a waste of time. It's a product of too long settling for boring bands with "meanings." Such nonsense. Pogo you fuckers.

Lance Romance is out. The New Town Animals' Steve Kicks is in. While it thrills me to know there's Canadian blood in the mix, the difference is noticeable in some of the group vocals. Kicks has a good pedigree and holds his own well, but Lance is missed. The vocals that kick off "Genital General" sound astoundingly like Feargal Sharkey. The song follows suit and is clearly in the spirit of Undertones B-side "Mars Bars." "You Move Too Slow" is a pure, seemingly adolescent little tune and a clear departure for the band. "Getting Hit on At the Bank" stands out as something special. It swaggers at a "Teenage Kicks" tempo and leads into a perfectly twitchy guitar solo. The pause before the full band kicks in on the final verse is golden. "Stuck on You" is the sort of awkward love song that the Buzzcocks always shot for, only with a set of buzzing horns á la Rocket from the Crypt. Darker than anything else on the record, "Can't Get Through" explores somewhat new territory for what's usually a very frenetic band, but it fares well. Lyrically, this is the album's anthem. The stomping "Razorblade Heart" that ends the record is simply one of the best songs the Briefs have ever written.

With so many wonderful pop moments, from the chorus of "Forty and Above" to the sing-along "Normal Jerks," Steal Yer Heart only seems to falter because it has to follow Sex Objects. That record managed to perfectly capture the pulse of a paranoid, fucked up America. "Orange Alert" alone did in two minutes what Green Day attempted in an entire concept album. Steal Year Heart, while a great Briefs record, never really touches that.

It really does feel like I need to spend more time with Steal Yer Heart, if only to properly rank it among the Briefs' already incredible catalogue of songs. That I'm committed to putting in that effort speaks for itself.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (November 26, 2005)

It seems like everyone here is ignorant to the fact that Hit After Hit exists.

GlassPipeMurder (November 2, 2005)

i just got this cd...holy crap i love it.

Russe11 (October 30, 2005)

Ok Chinatown, we get it.

Anonymous (October 30, 2005)

It's official: BYO Records have the WORST international mail order service ever. I ordered some stuff from them in July, and I've yet to receive it. I e-mailed them about it two weeks ago, and they still haven't responded.

Item: Details: Quantity: S&H: (ounces) Each: Total:
The Briefs - Off The Charts CD (000000101) 1 6.00 11.00 11.00
LEATHERFACE - The Last CD (0000070CD) 1 6.00 11.00 11.00
The Briefs - Sex Objects CD (000000098) 1 6.00 11.00 11.00
Sub Total: $ 33.00
Shipping Total: (First Class Air Mail to Canada) $ 5.00
Grand Total: $ 38.00 (about 48 Canadian; I payed the bill in FUCKIN' AUGUST)

System Date/Time: 7/1/2005 1:36:26 PM

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Thank you for shopping at BYO Records Inc!
Please save this for your records.

-Chinatown

Anonymous (October 29, 2005)

i think all of the libertines should be lined up and shot.....not realy...but lined up and then get the shit slapped out of em

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

- but about the band on hand...i am going to get this and the bomb album next time i'm at the store...i cant get that damn song "what kinda guy do you think i am" out of my head...so good

- rhymes are dopeyastic...band on hand...i'm pretty good

adam (October 29, 2005)

It's not shallow, and I'm sure I'll hear it at some point, but I'm so burnt out by constantly hearing about him that I'm not exactly running to the store.

-adam

Anonymous (October 29, 2005)

Come on...you can't be that shallow. Pete has his issues but the music speaks for itself...

adam (October 29, 2005)

I haven't heard a thing from Babyshambles aside from some bootleg sessions from back when the Libs' were still together. Pete's managed to become such a colossal media whore in the time since that it's killed any interest I would have had.

-adam

Anonymous (October 29, 2005)

This album grows on me more with every listen...however, I'm curious on everyones take on the Babyshambles album. Figured it was somewhat relevant as I think Adam loves The Libertines as much as The Briefs...(as do I). I don't think it holds a candle to The previous Libertines albums but it is good...plus the fact that Kate Moss got busted with the little white lines during the recording session makes it that much better...

Anonymous (October 29, 2005)

Great band.

Anonymous (October 29, 2005)

Growing on me with every listen but "Sex Objects" sounded so fresh at the time I heard it (thanks to Adam's 2004 list) that I can't really compare...