The Broken West are from L.A. and are comprised of Ross Flournoy (guitar, vocals), Dan Iead (guitar, backing vocals); Brian Whelan (bass, backing vocals); Rob McCorkindale (drums, percussion); Scott Claassen (keys, backing vocals). Each member brings impressive musical muscle to the band’s first full length album I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On released on Merge Records.
The band has created an album that is exceptional from start to finish with a consistent sonic experience throughout. That’s not to say all the songs sound the same, on the contrary, every song on the album is unique. I’m trying to say that despite each song being unique, they are all infused with what one could term The Broken West Sound.
What is that sound? I’ll try to explain.
“The Broken West Sound”
*carefree sunny days lying on a beach with a car radio playing (this in spite of lyrics that occasionally probe the darker side of human existence);
*soaring sing along melodies supported by harmonies that were meant to be there (think Grateful Dead – the masters of harmony); and
*instrumentation, percussion and tones that recall 60’s and 70’s rock music (echoes of the Beatles in particular George Harrison’s wonderful selection of guitar tones, Elvis Costello – before he got lazy, and the Kinks) merged with modern pop sensibility.
When all of these factors are put together “The Broken West Sound” is created – an undeniably modern sound with infectious melodies that somehow recall some of the best days in modern music…before all the noise of massive musical marketing budgets drowned out all that was good in music. It’s interesting to note that their lyrics occasionally seem to reflect this sentiment, a desire for better days that may have slipped away. In a few words The Broken West, lyrically and musically, invoke a reminiscing feeling in the listener.
“Down in the Valley” is my favorite track on the album. It epitomizes that retro feeling characteristic of The Broken West Sound with a Hammond organ tone on the bridge, harmonies that would make Jerry Garcia jealous, and handclaps…god I love handclaps supporting a solid percussion section. “Shiftee”, one of the slower tracks on the album, starts out acoustic and intimate until it explodes with texture. It has a decidedly Beatles feel/progression to it, an image helped along by the Leslie infused guitar tone that recalls George Harrison, tom heavy drums, and catchy keyboard melody. “Slow” is an instantly likeable pop rock tune that hits the chorus within the first 10 seconds of the tune…I challenge anyone not to be singing along after the first listen. Also of note is “Big City”, another instantly likeable tune featuring a wicked driving bass/distorted keyboard riff.
For the record, and to be perfectly clear, while I have described elements of their music and of The Broken West Sound in terms of other bands, the sound that results is all their own. For those uninitiated to the feel good melodies and harmonies of The Broken West and more reserved when it comes to experiencing new music, I recommend hitting the four tracks above before delving into the rest of the album.
Then again, if you dig music that is consistently on the pop side of rock (and if you trust my instincts) I recommend that you just buy I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On and listen from start to finish…you’ll end up digging it first spin through. I did.
I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On will be released January 23, 2007. Be sure to check out “So It Goes” in our player!
Rock Sellout 
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