[3.5/5] Brakesbrakesbrakes-formerly called the Brakes U.K. in North America, but otherwise still known as just Brakes everywhere else (got that?)-are still experts at crafting short, tart, spiky post-punk songs similar in style and humor to Art Brut (and the Fall before them). The Beatific Visions features the rockabilly rave-up "Spring Chicken" and the brilliant one-minute blast "Porcupine Or Pineapple," which finds banshee-wailing vocalist Eamon Hamilton screaming, "A porcupine or pineapple? Ouch!" like a man possessed. But these Brighton lads are smart and clever, as evidenced by the creative leaps they exhibit on Visions. Working with producer Stuart Sikes (responsible for Cat Power's The Greatest) in Nashville, the quartet add heartfelt twang-rock ("If I Should Die Tonight"), '60s psych-pop (the title track) and garage-rock rumbling ("Cease And Desist") to their repertoire. These multiple dimensions actually suit brakesbrakesbrakes even better than their simpler, humorous tunes-a development that bodes well for the group's career longevity and makes Visions a solid disc even after multiple spins. (ROUGH TRADE/WORLD'S FAIR) Annie Zaleski
 Official Website: http://www.worlds-fair.net
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