Apart from the first ten seconds sounding like then covering I’ll Be There For You by The Rembrandts (the theme tune to Friends) this song is 2 and a half minutes of inimitable Brakes greatness. Cease and Desist is full of the ever fabulous country punk charm that Brakes pull of so gracefully. Eamon Hamilton’s vocals always have an edge which make him sound like he’s a bit of a chainsaw wielding maniac, but that’s what really caps off this band’s music and makes them unique.

Their noise is one of genius I tell you, all down to some of the most ridiculous yet fantastic lyrics – “God came down and said I’m fucking bored/So he took a shot of whiskey and shuffled his cards” – you can’t expect a song with such opening lines to be anything but slick. Brakes make the kind of music so many bands try and fail dismally to. The sharp and edgy guitar riffs in Cease and Desist grumble and squeal with savage rhythm that has a quality that I for one cannot help but fall in love with every time. It don’t want to bore you with ridiculous and self indulgent metaphors; it’s simple that Brakes have grown into something quite special from their debut album Give Blood, spitting out music which shows intelligence and a certain superiority.

Go and see them play live in the next few weeks…I am! (So keep your eyes peeled for live review) See their website for UK and European dates.

Label: Rough Trade
Website: www.brakesbrakesbrakes.com
Release date: 26th February 2007

Tracklist:

1. Cease and Desist
2. We Saw Jerry’s Daughter (Camper Van Beethoven cover)
3. Huevos Rancheros