Bruiser

Hard-hitting trio Bruiser taps into feelings of alienation and frustration on its six-song slugfest, Right Before The Stop Ahead. The snarling, vaguely British-sounding vocals and catchy melodies add a pop sensibility to the band’s approach. “Loud Verse Soft Chorus” has an elaborate arrangement that includes keyboards, while “Parasite” rocks with punk intensity.
(Terrence Flamm) - Illinois Entertainer, March '09

It would be easy for a person to dismiss Bruiser for being unoriginal – the band owes an obvious debt to early grunge, the more punk-leaning end of pub rock, and even some emocore – but that person would also have his head so far up his own ass that you're better off ignoring him. Because, while it's easy to attack Bruiser for not being the most visionary, forward-thinking band with their latest EP, RightBeforeTheStopAhead, it's also completely missing the point – that Bruiser are doing what they do so damn well.

There's not a single riff here that isn't immediate, not a single instance of phoned-in songwriting - aptly titled centerpiece "LOUD/soft" is a near-perfect study in thoughtful pacing, with instrumental breaks and subtle variations on the song's piano-led theme occurring at just the right moments. And it manages all this in under three minutes.

Sure, this isn't a genre-defying revelation. Things aren't perfect – guitarist/vocalist Dan Stock's over-emotive, wounded dog singing is going to be a deal breaker for some – but what is? For a band you've never heard of offering a free 18 minute slice of unpretentious, celebratory rock, they come close enough. (Bill Stewart) - Origivation Magazine-Dec. '09