Br’er - Of Shemales and Kissaboos LP

One look at their obnoxiously bright MySpace page is all you need to know that Philly’s Br’er are pretty much the weirdest thing you’ll ever hear. The instrumentation goes from eclectic to abrasive at the drop of a hat and the song structures like to seek out their own meandering paths that make a mockery of traditional verse/chorus structures, and sometimes even the most curious listener will be tempted to duck and cover, but there’s something fascinating about it all that definitely warrants repeat listenings.

For starters, there’s the hauntingly laid back voice of singer Benjamin Schurr that keeps enticing you to listen closer. For a band so peculiar, Schurr has a nice melodic gift.

Br’er got its start as a way for Schurr to perform some of the material his previous outfit, CAW!, had refused to play. Oh well, their loss. Now, five years later, Br’er is exploring all the uncharted territories it wants with reckless abandon

The band is rounded out by Christian Mirande (Paia Modular Synth, Guitar, Harmonium, Toy Piano), Darian Scatton (Harp), Luis Angel Cancel (Drumz, Vocals), Roger Martinez (guitar, Vocals) and Ross Lipton (Rhodes/Organ).

Of Shemales and Kissaboos is available on Beat is Murder Records.