STRUCTURE & COSMETICS By The Brunettes


Yes, there’s actually a group called The Brunettes. They’re from New Zealand. Structure & Cosmetics is their CD from 2007 and one of my favorites. The group is mostly made up Jonathan Bree and Heather Mansfield with other players added from album to album. Their sound is what most people would classify as “indy.” Take a listen to “If You Were An Alien” below. GRADE: B+
TRACK LIST:
1 Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth 4:15
2 Stereo (Mono Mono) 5:03
3 Her Hairagami Set 4:39
4 Credit Card Mail Order 4:11
5 Obligatory Road Song 4:13
6 Small Town Crew 3:52
7 If You Were Alien 4:28
8 Wall Poster Star 3:35
9 Structure And Cosmetics 4:35
Members
Permanent
Jonathan Bree – vocals, guitar, synthesizer (1998–present)
Heather Mansfield – vocals, glockenspiel, harmonica, marimba, organ, piano, etc. (1998–present)
Rotating
Ryan McPhun – Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals (2004–present)
James Milne (Lawrence Arabia) – Guitar, Bass, Backing vocals, Chamberlin, Vibraphone, Percussion, etc.
Andrew Thompson
Princess Chelsea
Previous
Kari Hammond — Drums, Percussion (2003)
Gerald Stewart — Electric Bass Guitar, Backing vocals (2003)
Mike Hall — Bass, Flute, Harmonium, Vocals (2002)
Harry Cundy[10]
Discography
Albums
1998: Mars Loves Venus EP
2002: Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks (Lil’ Chief Records)
2003: The Boyracer e.p. (Lil’ Chief Records)
2004: Mars Loves Venus (Lil’ Chief Records)
2005: When Ice Met Cream E.P. (Lil’ Chief Records)
2007: Structure & Cosmetics (Lil’ Chief Records, Sub Pop)
2009: Paper Dolls (Lil’ Chief Records)
2009: The Red Rollerskates E.P. (Lil’ Chief Records)
2011: Mars Loves Venus (vinyl) (Microfiche Records, MFR 003)

10 thoughts on “STRUCTURE & COSMETICS By The Brunettes

  1. Steve Oerkfitz

    Kinda grows on you doesn’t it? I saw them open for The Shins about 15 years ago. Never bought anything by them tho.

    Reply
      1. Jeff Meyerson

        Not my taste. Jackie is speculating daily on what Brunette you will feature next. She didn’t get this one.

  2. Todd Mason

    Well. there are two recording bands in the last thirty years, at least, called the Dentists. (One of them good energetic folk-rock, the other Nazi fools.) Much less the Toad the Wet Sprockets.

    Shall be listening soon.

    Reply
  3. Todd Mason

    My best purchase from a library sale at 50c a throw included Miriam Makeba’s PATA PATA, Abbey Lincoln’s PEOPLE IN ME, and Aretha Franklin’s CBS GREATEST HITS V. 2 single disc. All playable and in reasonably good shape.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Todd, I’m finding dozens of good music CDs each week at thrift stores as people abandon their CD collections and move to Pandora, Spotify, and iTunes.

      Reply
  4. Todd Mason

    My best purchase from a library sale at 50c a throw included Miriam Makeba’s PATA PATA, Abbey Lincoln’s PEOPLE IN ME, and Aretha Franklin’s CBS GREATEST HITS V. 2 single disc. All playable and in reasonably good shape.

    All brunettes.

    Reply

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