I have covered Brainworms on three separate occasions here at SAL but it’s always been for split 7-inches. This is my first chance to cover the band in the long player format and I must say Brainworms are probably better off in smaller doses, at least for this particular listener. The band’s maniacal spazz punk is endearing but at close to 30 minutes it begins to grate on the nerves a bit. I will say that things seem all the more refined on Swear To Me. Could it be that Brainworms are maturing? Look no further for a song like “Which Words” to prove that theory with its mid-tempo pace and toned down vocal delivery. Or the spoken (shouted) word approach on “Whatever, That’s How You Get Famous” which is reminiscent of Lifter Puller crossed with Les Savy Fav. Brainworms seem stuck trying to find some sort of middle ground and because of that Swear To Me is good but never quite crosses over to being great.
Label: Rorschach
Brainworms
