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Sitting Next To Brian - A Cartoon, A Joke

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That rarest of delights: an album that sounds equally good quiet or loud, on headphones or in the car stereo, as a soundtrack for a listener seeking something extraordinary enough to hop right onto any jaded rockcrit's yearly best-of list or a disc so palpably comfy, its tunes immediatel invite one to chirp along halfway through first listen.

It's a grand production. Marchese, his handpicked orchestra of the cream of the Valley's best musicians, and producer Henning Ohlenbusch are as succesful at presenting a string quartet (plus harpsichord) to convey the sublimely beautiful melody of "20-15 Periphery" as they are in capturing the pop spirit of "Familiar Old Sugar"s guitar-bass-drums-sax-handclaps instrumentation.

But this is first and foremost Brian Marchese's moment to shine and deliver. Known for his superior drumming skills (and they are on display here), Marchese makes a superb case for himself as an equally talented songwriter, capable of catchy melodies, striking lyrical turns of phrase and the ability to lovingly infuse his retro-rock sensibilities into a Gainsbourgian stoner ballad ("Follow"), sanctified Steely sass ("Supposed Circus") and one insane carnival of rhythmic sound and fury that will stand your ear on its ear ("Mockingbird"). Nice work. Imbibe and smile.

Track Listing:
The Only Surprise is that there are No Surprises
Sleepy
Familiar Old Sugar - FREE MP3
Follow
Match
Mocking Bird
Supposed Circus
Vegas Youth - FREE MP3
Entering Iceburg
11:10
Twenty Fifteen Periphery

Credits:
Featuring: Lesa Bezo, Joe Boyle, Gideon Freudmann, Ken Maiuri, Brian T. Marchese, Henning Ohlenbusch, Kevin O'Rourke, Dave Trenholm, Bruce Tull

Recorded and mixed Dec. 2002 - April 2003, Rub Wrongways Studios, Northampton, MA
Recorded by Henning Ohlenbusch
Produced by Henning and Brian
Mastered by Dan Richardson
All Songs © 2003 Brian T. Marchese
Artwork by Max Germer

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