Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Brandon Mcswain - the breaking

1/15/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
Brandon McSwain

The Breaking
self-released; 2015

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen


You can kind of get an idea of what to expect from Brandon McSwain when looking at whom he has shared a stage with. The list is an impressive array of mainstream pop acts that include Nickel Creek, Sister Hazel and Casting Crowns. His music has the same type of pop sensibilities and hooks that those previously mentioned acts possess but I would also include OneRepublic, U2 and Coldplay in there as well. To put it simply McSwain plays anthemic inspirational pop music. The songs like U2’s have motivational messages within the lyrics, which are cemented with powerful music.

It was obvious to me that McSwain knows the music he wants to play on his recent record The Breaking and you can tell that throughout the record. He displays confidence within his singing and no matter if you are into mainstream sounding pop or not you can’t deny that McSwain’s songs feel heartfelt. Perhaps the reason why the songs feel heartfelt is because there was an overarching theme throughout the album that inspired him. McSwain’s main theme of breaking barriers regardless of race, language, diversity, income, background, culture and beliefs has been evident in music even before “We Are The World” but nonetheless seems as relevant as ever.

If you are going to make pop music that will appeal to the masses you need to have the production to back it up. McSwain delivers on that aspect as the songs sound radio ready. I was especially impressed by how well his vocals blended into the music.

The opening track “The Breaking” is one of the many single worthy tracks on the album. There are some definite U2 like qualities here especially in regards to guitar work. The song is undoubtedly catchy and will get stuck in your head whether you want it to be or not. One of the highlights and most original song was “After Love.” There was a bit of funk attached to this rock song and it didn’t feel as much like a motivational piece as some of the other songs. The chorus is very good all around. He sings, “After Love / Love / Nothing else is good enough, Nothing less is good / After Love, Love.”

McSwain also attempts some melancholy ballads like “Beat of Our Hearts” and “If You can Still Hear Me”. He pulls off the singing style here just as well as he does on some of the epic rock tracks.

Let’s be real about who this album is going to appeal to. The Breaking will most likely not convert hipsters who are on a steady diet of Pitchfork approved music but will attract a larger, demographic of people who didn’t delete the new U2 album from their iPhones. If you consider yourself in the latter you will definitely want to check out The Breaking.
official website
Tweet
1 Comment
Jessica
2/9/2015 11:42:49 am

Your music is filled with so much light.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact