The album begins with the sunny, peppy chop-chop percussion of "Ashes". The vocal harmonies of the sister-brother combination of Barb and Ethan Gruska are like a ray of light bringing a warming glow to songs like "When Everything Was What It Was" and "How I See It.
There's a more laid back side to the group, which comes through on the effortless "Miss You In My Life". The slightly twee cut has a swirling Yo La Tengo-esque ambiance to it.
The indie pop gets a whole lot of geekiness injected into it with "Not the One You Want", which sounds heavily-influenced by Apples In Stereo.
A couple of tracks venture into different territory. "Metropolis" is more subdued and mechanical, much like it's classic sci-fi film namesake. On the other end of the spectrum is "Back Where You Began", an introspective bit of twang and harmony that concludes with a Waitsian breakdown.
Just Because gives you a real reason to want to kick up your heals, crack open a wobbly pop and enjoy the summer rays that are just around the corner...they are just around the corner right?
The Belle Brigade play Massey Hall in Toronto on June 8th & 9th with Ray LaMontagne.
Best tracks: "Ashes", "Miss You In My Life"
Track listing for Just Because:
- Ashes
- When Everything Was What It Was
- Likely To Use Something
- Be Like Him
- Miss You In My Life
- How I See It
- Not the One You Want
- Metropolis
- Everything for a Stone
- Back Where You Began
7.5/10
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