The Briggs

The Briggs: Back to Higher GroundBack to Higher Ground (2006)
Side One Dummy Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: GlassPipeMurderGlassPipeMurder
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on October 20th 2006There's something about the Briggs' brand of working class punk rock that seems sacred. It's below the surface of their anthemic group sing-alongs, their marching drum beats, and their gritty muted guitar riffs. It's the thought that this kind of music will never be heard on Clear Channel radio or ".

There's something about the Briggs' brand of working class punk rock that seems sacred. It's below the surface of their anthemic group sing-alongs, their marching drum beats, and their gritty muted guitar riffs. It's the thought that this kind of music will never be heard on Clear Channel radio or "Total Request Live," yet the passion and ferver with which the Briggs deliver their third full-length is unmatched by any mainstream act today.

Built on the foundations laid by Oi! and street punk bands like Cock Sparrer and Cockney Rejects, the Briggs sound nothing like the typical Southern California punk band, despite hailing from Los Angeles. Back to Higher Ground fuses everything good and pure from the traditions of street punk with a clean production that does nothing but benefit the overall quality of the album.

The title track kicks off the album with titanic group vocals strong enough to blow the roof off a cathedral. Brothers Joey and Jason LaRocca trade guitar and vocal duties on the album, creating a complementing combination that keeps the record tight yet interesting as different vocalists are featured throughout. "My Own Enemy" is one of the catchier cuts on the record, which is complete with an acoustic pre-chorus that blasts into yet another solid group vocal effort. One of the more ear-catching tracks is the biting anthem "Everyone's an Actor" that begins with creepy "oooooh"-ing that would fit well in a Tim Burton flick and leads into a "Bro Hymn"-type whoa-along.

Back to Higher Ground is as solid as any street punk album in recent years and serves as a pleasant reminder that the spirit of punk rock still burns strong in the proud and few who put their heart into what they love, not just what's popular.

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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.

HeroineBob (May 16, 2007)

Love it....

Nikole

HeroineBob (May 16, 2007)

damnitsderek (October 24, 2006)

SideOneDummy is not indie.

GlassPipeMurder (October 23, 2006)

SideOneDummy is indie.

Anonymous (October 23, 2006)

How is any one kind of music "for idiots"?

Is Sideonedummy a major? I've heard it promoted like an indie but talked about as a major.

ilikepunkrock (October 22, 2006)

I agree Oi music does go along with stupid racist Nazi fucks in a little way, but the music is really good. Cocksparrer, Blitz, Sham 69, etc. etc. The gang mentality is stupid but there will always be gangs, it is just a part of life. They have been around in one way or another since the beginning of time. Cocksparrer is one of the greatest bands of all time in my opinion.

JonC (October 21, 2006)

I think it's funny that both bands the author said laid the foundation for the Briggs have "cock" in their name.

feeeding5000 (October 21, 2006)

Oi! (it's not correct without the "!") is essentially drinking and fighting music for the uninformed. There's the blind patriotism aspect, like how even members of SHARP will beat up flag burners. Then, it's got a sort of pack mentality, based on violence -- i.e. beating up rival gangs, football clubs, etc. Plus, it fostered the biggest racist music scene in the UK during the 80's, and now the biggest racist music scene in the US. Also, there are so many arbitrary rules as to what is meant by the color of your bootlaces, or suspenders, or how close a shave you have...

ilikepunkrock (October 21, 2006)

I bet rudegirl82 has good taste in music. It might be different than your taste. And how is Oi for idiots. Please explain. Score is for the album, not as good as Numbers.

Anonymous (October 21, 2006)

what makes this band so great is that they really don't have that new punk sound that every other band in the world has these days.

EZ3 (October 21, 2006)

I think this was better then numbers. Every song on this is great, while numbers had some bad songs... I think this might be the best album of 2006.

Mute98 (October 20, 2006)

come on dude, you gave resist and exist too low of a score

feeeding5000 (October 20, 2006)

Oh, come on. Crass is good! Really! Please?

Anonymous (October 20, 2006)

coming from someone with a crass username? come on, this album is great. it takes more than one listen to really appreciate, but it's definitely one of the best street punk albums in the last few years.

feeeding5000 (October 20, 2006)

Also, who wants to bet rudegirl182 has really bad taste in music? I, for one, put down $5 (to be payable in 3032).

Mute98 (October 20, 2006)

amazing cd, itll make my top 5 of 06 for sure

Anonymous (October 20, 2006)

Their bassist sucks a mean dick. Score's for him.

rudegirl82 (October 20, 2006)

First off, who cares if they're Scientologists or not? They don't preach so who are we to judge? I personally love this record. No matter how much I listen to it I find myself singing along and rocking out in my car every time! Big Hi-5 to the boys for branching out beyond just "street punk." I love the dark track "Everyone's an Actor" and the slide guitar on "Common and Unkknown." Can't wait to see them play live again!

feeeding5000 (October 20, 2006)

Why are my horrible reviews never published? On another note, I loved the Briggs when I thought that the Warped Tour was for "real punk" and "underground music", and not commercial bullshit for the MTV2 crowd. I've outgrown this kind of punk, and I've always thought that Oi! was for idiots, anyway.

baseball (October 20, 2006)

haven't heard this yet, but always had a really good time when i've seen this band live

Anonymous (October 20, 2006)

Finally a review for this record. I like the fact that the Briggs keep trying new things while maintaining their core sound. I'm glad they don't make the same album over and over. It makes them a much more exciting band. My Own Enemy is a killer cut that is better than 99.9% of anything being played on the radio right now. Good review, good album. Go buy it from an independent record store.

punkengineer (October 20, 2006)

Great band, but this album is kind of.... eh.... not that interesting.

Anonymous (October 20, 2006)

Love these guys.

Anonymous (October 20, 2006)

I was SO pumped when I saw that Joe Gittleman produced this, but sooo disappointed when I listened. I don't know, I guess I was expecting another Numbers.

GlassPipeMurder (October 20, 2006)

hey my review finally got published.
score is for punknews.org

MikeStupid (October 20, 2006)

Good fun record, but it doesn't have that special something Numbers did.

gladimnotemo (October 20, 2006)

I kind of dig this band, but I haven't listened to them for a while. I think they are scientologists, though. Bummer.

SloaneDaley (October 20, 2006)

Numbers was honestly one of the best modern street punk albums of the last few years. It'd be hard for this album to top that. I haven't found this to buy yet but I probably haven't looked hard enough, SideOne Dummy usually has good distro.

Anonymous (October 20, 2006)

its no where close to being as good as numbers...

but it is still a great record