If you shared the same name with four men responsible for your existence, you’d probably find a way to forge a distinct identity. For Martin McNulty Crane V, a name change discovery came from a dream where a woman yelled “brazos” in his face. It’s unusual and different, the sort of thing you might look for if your family can’t be bothered to buy a book of baby’s names.
It’s under Brazos that Crane paints his musical portraits, and while the band name comes from a curious event, the music itself has a familiar, redundant feel. It’s not as rote as giving the firstborn son the same name over and over, but then again how often is a band compared to Vampire Weekend?
In Brazos’ latest release Saltwater, Crane and bandmates Spencer Zahn (bass) and Ian Chang (drums) have found some fresh territory, but not enough to set it on a path not already blazed by others.
I’d be more enthusiastic if Saltwater wasn’t so tepid across the first foursome of tracks. The gentle acoustic work and up-tempo drum beats are decently coordinated, but a predictability filters through, whether it’s the paint-by-number synth solo in “Always On” or the slide-guitar sound throughout “How the Ranks Was Won.” By the time “One Note Pillow” is over, it’s hard to recall what went on in the first 16 minutes of music.
But upon the fifth song “Valencia” (five – I see a pattern), the album becomes more playful and inventive. While Crane’s voice was manageable up to this point, it was one-note more often than not. Now Crane’s pacing is lively and fun as he sings a song about the ills of gossip, giving “Valencia” the aura of a European getaway. “Irene” has a Latin jazz bop to it, the instrumental moments are light but in the right spots – it’s one of the album’s longest songs but breezily moves along.
The title track is ranging and literary, speaking of Moby Dick while pushed by a shuffling, old country clip. The song becomes a riotous affair of drums and guitar before falling into a chorus of falling raindrops. It’s a dynamic piece of song writing.
Brazos has the strength to flex some musical muscle, but it takes time to get there. Crane can make a name for himself if he doesn’t linger too long on the musical mavens before him.
