Dig out your oldest sweater and some oh-so-emo glasses as a salute to Braid’s second album. Then drive past a school you used to go to or where you met your first crush. Continue driving until you have a view of the landscape. Congratulations, you have set the mood and are ready to commence track 01, My Baby Smokes. It’s a touching beginning that may either induce smiles or sentimental tears. That’s the Age of Octeen’s power. Its guitars and drums can soar, tremble, and drive. The outgoing warbling hits home. Bob Nanna is expressive and Chris Broach can really hold a high note on the song Chandelier Swing. That song also happens to be one of the greatest love songs of all time while evading those horrible romantic compilations sold on TV. If you decide to miss out on the album’s full experience, at least download that song. It’ll make you remember being in love. The guitars and drums build up in your chest like when you’re about to mean I Love You for the very first time. Then comes the chorus. Long sentence short, it will cure the coldest heart. The song is followed by Autobiography. It’s potentially the best minute of guitar solo of the 90s. It’s also an appropriate end to an album meant for anyone with a starving sensitive side.

-Erika

Tags: braid, the age of octeen

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