Review
Bright Calm Blue
Direct Approach for Casual Conversation

Level Plane (2003) Charlie

Bright Calm Blue – Direct Approach for Casual Conversation cover artwork
Bright Calm Blue – Direct Approach for Casual Conversation — Level Plane, 2003

It was bound to happen sooner or later. I've come across a band that doesn't really sway me one way or the other, and that I really don't have much to say about. The whole thing is very DC-esque, with the attack element of Fugazi and Jawbox, combined with the quirkier elements of bands like Q and Not U, the Dismemberment Plan, and the Nation of Ulysses; there's also a very large Brainaic element going on in most of the music. Most of it's your average post-hardcore indie rock, a standard rock combo with a few bells and whistles here and there to spice things up. The only real standouts on the record are the two last songs, "Sources and Procedures" and "Rare as Radium." "Sources and Procedures" has a quirky little keyboard melody that serves as the only really memorable moment of the whole record, the one hook they have that sinks, albeit not too terribly deep. "Rare as Radium" has a strong vocal hook in the first few minutes, but descends into mathy stop-starts in its second half and ultimately loses its momentum. The only prior knowledge I had of this band to this record was a split 7" with To Dream of Autumn. I thought it was nice enough, but nothing special, interesting, if rather unengaging, and lo and behold, that's my opinion of this record as well.

6.6 / 10Charlie • February 28, 2004

Bright Calm Blue – Direct Approach for Casual Conversation cover artwork
Bright Calm Blue – Direct Approach for Casual Conversation — Level Plane, 2003

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Chat Pile

Cool World
Flenser (2024)

The great American experiment has a wide range of experiences, but it tends to focus on the coasts. There are countless dystopian pieces of art, often culling from a Warriors-esque concept of urban grit. Chat Pile play dystopian, brutal noise-punk, but from a distinctly middle American point of view where instead of civilians shadowed under dense skylines, their anonymity instead … Read more

The Anomalys

Down The Hole
Slovenly (2024)

If I have to give the elevator pitch, I’ll call The Anomalys garage rock with an ear for surf and psyche rock -- turned up to 11 and blasted through blown out speakers in an old 1980s sedan. It’s high-energy, no-frills rock ‘n’ roll with attitude. While it’s short, loud and fast, there’s also quite a bit of nuance and … Read more

Pinhead Gunpowder

Unt
1-2-3-4 Go! Records (2024)

Pinhead Gunpowder began in 1990, recording a 7” in 1991. The band last released a 7” in 2008… Until late 2024 when the band returned with the 14-song full-length Unt. So congratulations if you had “we get a new Pinhead Gunpowder record before a new D4 record on your bingo card. (These two bands released a split 7” in 2000 … Read more