Brassy
Acts Playing South by Southwest
Reviewed by Christopher Gray, Fri., March 16, 2001
Brassy
Got It Made (Wiiija)
Try not to dance, I dare you. Brassy's Got It Made is an early contender for jukebox record of the year. 18 songs, 41 minutes -- do the math. Lead singer Muffin Spencer has obviously inherited the same cocky, blues-loving genes as older brother Jon, and has a smoother flow to boot. She might take some hits (if not for the name) for piggybacking on the Blues Explosion methodology, but they are family, and Got It Made holds its own with everything south of JSBX's Orange. Funky, spunky, chunky, punky, Brassy came to get down. Jonny Barrington (aka DJ Swett) keeps the groove rotating on decks and drums, Karen Frost provides swinging bass and well-placed countervocals, and guitarist Stefan Gordon alternates between minimalism and hedonism. Collectively, their efforts amount to the soundtrack for that clique that was too cool to invite you to their parties in high school. My, how times have changed. Here, let the songs spell it out: "Good Times" -- "Who Stole the Show?" -- "B.R.A.S.S.Y." -- "B'Cos We Rock" -- "No Competition." (Friday, March 16, La Zona Rosa, midnight)
