Contempopranea Nos Espera! Burgim "The Way That You Smile"

Burgim "The Way That You Smile" (p)2014

Burgim was the only name from the Contempopranea cartel that I wasn't known of. So I just followed the links and listened to their new album "The Way That You Smile" on their Bandcamp page just to be prepared.

The album starts from some Nashville-like (mostly like any member of Ten Out Of Tenn formation) roots-rock song "White Whale" beautiful enough to attract you. The second track "Shame" is a pure classic. It showcases not only the acoustic guitar strummings but also more solid-sounding drums and perfect backing vocals. "Shame" is followed by the pack of mostly acoustic folk-pop songs with intimate vocals and vibraphone-sounding Hammond on the background.

The things changed on the track #7: "Illusion". This track is a Britpop-based midtempo song which abandons tiny folk rock in favor of the electric guitar solos and - do I really heard it? - 'chug-chug'. Though it sounds like some kind of 'play on the set up subject' it is really intereting twist. But band goes further on the next track. "Mister User" really rocks on full throttle with no strings attached. And you know what? The next "Mile In A Tear" is even more hard-rockin' piece! The song starts from the guitar part that repeats the introduction to the hit of the football-obsessed alternative deutsche-punks Sportfreunde Stiller  "Ans Ende Denken Wir Zuletzt"- but in a lo-fi way. The rest of the song is 'quiet verse - loud chorus'-structured theme with very catchy chorus.

So within this album the band makes a trip from contemporary Nashville folk pop to British/European alternative rock. Both faces of this Janus are far from 'one of a kind' position but overall pleasant, and I really expect them to be great onstage.

The best tracks: Shame, Mr. User, So Happy, No One Must Never (Take Us Apart)