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Brush, "Brush!?"
Originally released in 1971 as a tiny private pressing in Japan, this rare psychedelic album finally makes it to CD for the first time. Apparently it took a couple of years to track down the material, but the effort was certainly worth it. Great musicianship, excellent production, and the skillful mixture of various styles make this album enjoyable from beginning to end.
Grounding the album's stylistic shifts are several carefully constructed rock songs. "Foolish Guy" and "Tears of a Child" are concise and catchy examples of pop, and the Dylan-impersonating "Grey Hound Bus" is almost convincing enough to be mistaken as a cover. Yet the band truly excels when they have the time to stretch out and turn their material into sweeping emotional experiences. "Mother Nature's Sun" is a touching anti-war protest that goes through a variety of moods, while "Tomb Stone" is a wandering desert plainsong in which the protagonist yearns for death. In contrast, "To Reiko" is a soft and gentle antidote for existential angst.
Although their rock songs frequently recall a predominantly West Coast style, Brush also have an experimental side that's equally vital and interesting. "The People of Glass" from the opening suite starts things off with a dire warning from a solo 'electric effects organ,' providing a mystifying introduction to the group. Elsewhere, the brief piano flourish of "Day Break (Bridge Is Drumming)" changes the direction of the album into something more classical. But the band’s not heading toward parlor respectability, either, as proved by the free-for-all demolition that is "Die a Dog's Death (In Vain)."
The booklet that comes with the disc is void of liner notes, but it has plenty of illuminating photos and illustrations as well as lyrics. Each of the songs on this album is distinct, and the running order continually keeps the experience fresh. With such quality songs and worthwhile diversions, there's very little to dislike about this album.
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