Echobrain [Import]

Product Description
Japanese edition of 2002 album for rock act featuring ex Metallica bassist Jason Newsted. Includes the bonus track 'Anjali'. Digipak.

Echobrain,Echobrain,Sony,Rock,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: Not Metallica, But Really Good... In a word................REFRESHING!!!!!!!!!! BEST ALBUM EVAR!!! misled reviews from above..... A Refreashing Breath of Air

Echobrain EchoBrain Manufacturer: Chophouse/Surfdog ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Glean Voivod Killing Technology Dimension Hatröss Katorz ASIN: B000062XBF Release Date: 2002-03-05

Tracks:

1. Colder World
2. The Feeling Is Over
3. Spoonfed
4. Adrift
5. Keep Me Alive
6. We Are Ghosts
7. SuckerPunch
8. Highway 44
9. I Drank You
10. Cryin' Shame

Amazon.com

Who knew that an alt-rock heart beat in Jason Newsted's sinewy body during his 14-year tenure with Metallica? Newsted left the band in 2001, sick of the band's no side-project clause. Newsted had begun working with two teenagers--drummer Brian Sagrafena and guitarist-vocalist Dylan Donkin--in 1995, and completed this album seven full months before leaving Metallica. Given the bassist's state of mind, it's no surprise that Echobrain's debut contains none of the thrash-happy music that put his former band on the map. What with the rather sparse arrangements, retro obsessions, and rhythmic playing, they are the clear descendants of '90s stoner rockers Masters of Reality and Queens of the Stone Age. Echobrain play the same kind of mind-bending jams and ultra-heavy riffs grafted onto shimmering pop, with Donkin's beguiling vocals hovering somewhere between Soundgarden's Chris Cornell and Grand Funk's Mark Farner.

The unsophisticated lyrics are marred by sophomoric imagery and forced rhymes, but now and then they'll zing one across the plate, like the witty skewering of a rock-god's ego in "Colder World," which you can't help thinking is a rather unsubtle dig at one of Newsted's former band mates ("Sometimes the crowd goes into a coma / You're so great / I know you could never see it / You're too busy being it"). Kirk Hammett guests on the majestically doom-ridden "Suckerpunch," elevating the track with his innovative and distinctive playing. Echobrain is a work in progress, but one you can't help but hope will hone their style. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

Not Metallica, But Really Good..........2006-05-10

A few years ago, as most of you already know, Jason Newsted left Metallica (or was kicked out, I forget which). Jason Newsted is an amazing bassist and instead of joining just another hard rock band, he decided to join Echobrain. I heard one person say that the two guys in Echobrain are Newsted's next door neighbors and this was only a temporary thing he did. That's too bad really, because this is a great CD. It's not anything like Metallica, it's pretty much Soft Progressive Rock. But, Newsted's bassline's are really good, vocalist/guitarist Dylan Donkin is good as well, and Brian Sagrafena is an average drummer but that doesn't matter. The lyrics can be a little predictable, but that doesn't matter. The tracklist is:

1. Colder World
2. The Feeling is Over
3. Spoonfed
4. Adrift
5. Keep Me Alive
6. Ghosts
7. SuckerPunch
8. Highway 44
9. I Drank You
10. Cryin' Same/Bonus Track

All the songs are 5 star songs, but here's a few extra comments. "Colder World" is catchy; "The Feeling is Over" is cool; "Spoonfed" is one of the best; "Adrift" & "Keep Me Alive" are entertaining, I guess; "Ghosts" is my favorite song on the album. It's got a haunting melody and the vocals are great; "SuckerPunch" has a really good beat;
"Highway 44" is probably the 2nd best song; "I Drank You" is short, but is catchy and has some interesting lyrics; and "Cryin' Same" has some great basslines and is good, but the bonus track which follows this song is better.

And there you have it. People who only like bands like Metallica probably won't be impressed, but people with a real love for music should like this.
GRADE: A-

In a word................REFRESHING!!!!!!!!!!.......2004-12-09

What a nice surprise , very nice, is refreshing to listen this transitory project Mr Newsted was involved before his return to Metal music with Voivod , this band Echobrain , was the perfect stop in Jason way to develop a different sound , very simmilar to bands such as semisonic or evergreen , lyrics are not pretencious, music is soft , funny , relaxed , not intense and yet great guitar and bass sounds we can find in the tracks that completes this debut album , you can find here also similarities with Queens of the stone age style, some blind melon tunes , some folk reminisences etc, etc, Echobrain in this days continue active despite the departure with Jason Newsted they found a new bass player and an extra guitar player so now as a four member band Echobrain continues offering more refreshing music
HM

BEST ALBUM EVAR!!!.......2003-12-16

I'm a huge fan of Jason Newsted and i couldn't wait to get my hands on this cd!!! I wasn't dissappointed when I bought this cd either!!! WOW!!! Track 1-7 are simply amazing!!!! What's surprising is that you can play this cd straight through without pressing fast forward. That's rare nowadays! If you don't have this cd then something isn't right with you! Echobrain is on my top 5 greatest cd's list. BUY IT!!!!

misled reviews from above............2003-12-16

I would have to say this is one of the worst purchases i have ever made. I purchased this cd for 1.96 and wish I would have kept my money. I read reviews on the musicians and was under the impression that there would maybe be a hint jazz or funk flavor based on their influences. Some of the reviews from above were like "This tune is very funky and swell...." Funky...there is nothing funk but maybe the space between tracks. As the days went by waiting for this cd to show up, the more my excitement grew. When it arrived i threw it in............BAM! It was like I hit a brick wall. The first tune reminded me of some weak excuse for new rock. At first i thought to myself "is this the freakin' Goo Goo Dolls..." But I didn't stop there. I figured I would give it a chance. I should have stopped while I was ahead. I honestly could only make it through 6 songs. Nothing really struck me as "Wow this band really has something fresh and new going on...." There is nothing fresh on this cd. My grandmothers 2 month old wonder bread was more fresh then what i heard. It sounds like everything else you hear on your local one hit wonder rock station.
I guess I could on and on about how bad this cd is, but I would just be beating a dead horse. You may ask what are my plans with this half listened to cd are........i plan on bringing it to a place that buys used cds and getting my money back. If they do not want to buy it, I will give it to them and take the loss.

A Refreashing Breath of Air.......2003-12-01

Echobrain is the "brain child" of former Metallica bassiest Jason Newsted and two fresh faces in the music world, Brain Sagrafena and Dylan Donkin. It was recorded at Newsted's own Chophouse Records and put out by little-known label Surfdog Records (unless you know who Gary Hooey is, aka "Mr. Metal Christmas" for his rocking renditions of classic Christmas songs, who is under this label). Why take notice? Well, kept reading and get the answer.

I was able to catch the group live just last year on their "Keep Me Alive" Tour in New Haven, CT. They are one live act that you must see! Plus, I was able to see Newsted before he left the group to join Ozzy's band!

I already had the CD even before I saw them live and I must say, this is music that will perk up your spirits and won't annoy the folks (but, then again, if your folks are into metal, this could be a gain of salt to swallow). Similar to the already cloned alterna-pop acts, Echobrain stands out well. Instead of a polished, cookie-cutter record, we are treated to a semi-gritty, almost underground indie rock set. Very radio-friendly, but may never even see radio's radar (you would mostly likely catch this on college radio).

Now here's a quick review of the entire disk, all in order:

Colder World--Very up-tempo and could easily leak onto a station like 96.5. Exteremly catchy! A great song to start off a great record!

The Feeling Is Over--A flowing track, wonderful to sit back and relax too. Also radio-friendly without being over-baked!

Spoonfed--Nice track and great guitars make this track most enjoible!

Adrift--Very laid-back with a folk-flavor to it. Everytime I hear it, I think of the old Peanuts movie "Snoopy Come Home".

Keep Me Alive--Another radio-friendly track with more great guitar work!

Ghosts--I mostly ingnore this track due to the fact that it's WAY TOO depression. But it's a nice sad song.

Suckerpunch--A mellow, almost Gothic-like track that features a wonderfully-played solo by Kirk Hammett (Metallica) which gives this track a nice kick!

Highway 44--A bluesy road song that makes you almost smell the dust from the nearest dirt road!

I Drank You--Nice track with some great acoustic guitars!

Cryin' Shame--The longest track on the record. A moody, dark song that reminds me of the anime series Trigun. A great song too!

**HIDDEN TRACK** The Crazy Song--A silly, up-beat doodle that features the kazoo. Diffently will put a smile on your face!

To sum up, Echobrain requires you to listen with an open mind. If you enjoy arty music like Radiohead, this may not sound like Radiohead, but with the amazing talents of Sagrafena and Donkin now left to pick up where Jason has already placed them, chances are the Echobrain will delight whoever its' audience maybe.

Average customer rating: a truly great single

Strange Enjoyment Echobrain Manufacturer: Surfdog Records Ada ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Glean ASIN: B000069CM2 Release Date: 2002-07-23

Tracks:

1. Sweet Summer
2. Anjali
3. Spoonfed

Customer Reviews:

a truly great single.......2002-08-06

This single contains three songs,1.Sweet Summer 2.Anjali and 3.Spoonfed(the album version),the first two songs are new,and being a huge fan of the full length Echobrain album I think the new songs are great.These songs continue to showcase the stellar songwriting,and musicianship of the band.
In addition to the new songs,this is also an enhanced cd that contains a thirteen minute movie of studio and interview footage.
This single is a must have if you liked the full length,it also comes in a digipak case with great artwork.

Average customer rating: Best I've found this year Echobrain have changed but still is pretty good One louder Unfortunately overlooked Glean - Echobrain

Glean EchoBrain Manufacturer: Surfdog Records Ada ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Echobrain Voivod Strange Enjoyment Katorz Era Vulgaris ASIN: B0001GH5NS Release Date: 2004-04-20

Tracks:

1. Jellyneck
2. Knock 'Em Out
3. You're Sold
4. Heroic Dose
5. Out Of Reach
6. Seven Seconds
7. Arsenic Of Love
8. Beat As We Go
9. Modern Science
10. Hardheaded Woman
11. Nowhere Too Long
12. Nobody

Album Description

Few bands can claim among its fans both former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted and rock legend Neil Young, but then Echobrain is an unusual band, one nurtured by Newsted and also one that has opened for Neil Young and Crazy Horse.

Customer Reviews:

Best I've found this year.......2005-10-28

Of the 20-or-so CD's I've bought this year, this one stands out as my slam dunk favorite. Echobrain knows how to rock, but they also just plain know music.

Within the twelve tracks in Glean, their sound meanders between that of Pink Floyd, the Kinks, and even Radiohead. But even as I made mental comparisons to these bands while listening, I never got the sense they (Echobrain) were ripping anyone off, as they always manage to maintain their own edge.

Seems to me there's a crap load of bands getting a lot more attention than Echobrain ever did that aren't half as good.

Do yourself a favor and check this CD out.

Echobrain have changed but still is pretty good.......2005-02-05

Since Jason Newsted departure, this peculiar band have experimented changes, if Newsted provided maybe a 20% of heavy sound in their first cd now this 20% has becoming just a 10% heavy, now they sound a lot more alternative and even more funny than before, this band needed to take more seriously this direction , after all Jason cant deny his love for Metal and returned to it with Voivod , and theres a number of side projects he has achieved such as "Pappawheelie" punk style, "IR8" kinda Sepultura sound and the trash project "Sexoturica" all this projects with the collaboration of very well known musicians like tom hunting from Exodus, Devin Towsend from Straping Young Lad, and andreas kisser from sepultura (awesome cds all this by the way im so happy i own) , for this reason Echobrain now without Jason on bass have released "Glean" interesting album
HM

One louder.......2004-08-25

The first Echobrain album was an unexpected find. More power to the listening booths at my music store, otherwise I would never have heard of it and consequently would probably not be writing this review of their second album.

This is a great CD. It eclipses their first one simply because the whole thing feels smooth and confident. I'd also rank this as one of the best releases this year. I really hope it does well for them as I look forward to another one from this very overlooked and talented band.

If you like the summer sounds of 'The Shore' or quieter moments of bands like 'Elbow' then check this one out.

Unfortunately overlooked.......2004-07-20

I never would have said that Echobrain's first album was particularly heavy until listening to Glean. Newsted's absence from the creative process is apparent. On the other hand, it allows for some spectactular dynamics and songs that hide heaviness behind beautiful sounds. "You're Sold" and "Heroic Dose" are a microcosm of this album--heavier sections and big guitars combining with soft, warbling vocals and a swirling sound, constantly backed by outstanding drumming.
Not like much music out there in that Echobrain still refuses to be pigeonholed. That's not even criticizing other bands, but rather an admiration of their versatility.

Glean - Echobrain.......2004-05-18

Fantastic album, ubelievable melodies along with mind blowing vocals. Still as unique and unlike anything I've ever heard. The first album blew me away, almost every song on that album has become embedded in my mind and after one listen to Glean my brain is on overload. IF you haven't purchased this cd, I believe it to be a wise addition to any rock lovers collection. I give mucho props to Donkin and the rest of the crew for hanging in there after the departure of Newsted, but that's his loss because Voivod sucks. Sad decision on his part just like leaving Metallica. Echobrain and Glean will move you in such a way that you'll never be the same after listening to it.

Average customer rating:

Echobrain EchoBrain Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000062VFV Release Date: 2002-04-17

Tracks:

1. Colder World
2. Feeling Is Over
3. Spoonfed
4. Adrift
5. Keep Me Alive
6. Ghosts
7. Suckerpunch
8. Highway 44
9. I Drank You
10. Cryin' Shame

Album Description

Japanese edition of 2002 album for rock act featuring ex Metallica bassist Jason Newsted. Includes the bonus track 'Anjali'. Digipak.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: 'anjali'

Average customer rating:

Echobrain Echobrain Manufacturer: Festival Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000066EY7 Release Date: 2002-05-14

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