Brothers Hays & Ryan Holladay (QRO interview) made a strong introduction as The Epochs (QRO spotlight on), with the effective indietronica/rock of their self-titled debut (QRO review).  But then the Washington, D.C. natives disappeared, and when they returned as Bluebrain, shorn of the rest of The Epochs, it was nice to see them back with Cult Following EP (QRO review), but they weren't at Epoch-level.  Thankfully, follow-up full-length Soft Power builds in the direction of the Cult, but to Epoch heights.

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 Click here for QRO's interview with Ryan Holladay

 Click here for photos of Bluebrain at Piano's in New York, NY on February 15th, 2010 in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery

 

The anthem-reverb indietronica of opener "Royal Blue" sets the tone for Soft Power: less rock, more dance, but still with interesting yet accessible electronic sounds.  After Cult slipped a bit in the rhythm department (thanks to losing key Epoch, drummer Kotchy), the beat is now right on time, even funky.  Vocals (never sure which Holladay it is) also veer into the higher funk sounds (not as high as Prince, but you get the general idea), with an upbeat sly that really charms.  The first half of the album is littered with pieces that nicely balance between complexity and dance, yet with a sunny nature, such as the opener, the following "Up & Down", and especially the electric dance number "Ten By Ten".

In the back half, Bluebrain shift into a sadder tone, which does drag them down somewhat.  What starts as a change-up in "Caught Up In the Laughter" goes more muddled with "Balcony" - it's just harder to dance to.  But this sound begins to work itself out with the more laid-back, harpsichord-y "Rotten Apples", and reaches its pinnacle with the super-sly backbeat & atmosphere of closer "Funny Business".

More strictly electronica than the interesting genre crossover that was The Epochs, the brothers Holladay instead vary up their outlook more as Bluebrain.  Here's hoping they can keep on keepin' on from here.