Monday, June 20, 2016

Bredd


          Italian (Massa Lubrense, Italy) singer/songwriter Raffaele Pane (Bredd) comes to us with his debut EP, An End For All. Having grown up surrounded by music and, by the age of 18, having studied several instruments, Bredd brings skillful compositions and engaging songwriting to the ever-growing music scene.  With influences spanning from Robbie Williams to Foo Fighters, it is unsurprising that his first release combines elements of pop-rock with a harder, more gritty sound.

          "So Alive" is a perfect example of the mixture of influences that Bredd brings together.  Beginning with an under-driven guitar and Pane's controlled melodic vocal dubs, it quickly transitions into a more 90's sound.  A snarling guitar riff, heavy drums, and a deep, complimentary bass groove complete this ambiance and harken to bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden.  While it would be easy for Pane to ride this long-established combination of tones, he makes it his own by combining more upbeat sounds and a distinct pop-rock flare to the mix.  His vocals feel especially at home in the track as they transition from more mellowed runs to a more energetic and blatantly passionate feeling.  Instead of winding down, the song finishes strong with the key hook giving way to emphasized drums and a classic guitar slide-away.

          A different side of Bredd comes out in the closing track "Divided".  The solemn piano intro played by Feliciano Zacchia leads seamlessly into Pane's initially somber vocals.  This minimalism is enhanced as the vocals rise far above the instrumental and show a more emotionally strained side of Pane's writing.  This feeling is furthered by the lyrics, especially such lines as "Why are we so divided?"  This track stands out well in a collection of songs that are primarily focused on heavier styles of music, thus showing the nuanced versatility of Bredd's songwriting.  The song concludes with light chanting in the background as Pane's voice sings the melody amidst a lone piano, ultimately leaving the listener with a sense of fulfillment and emotion.

          Bredd takes influences from his contemporaries and former stars of alternative and pop-rock music, combining them into a cohesive style that plays well to an audience, while also maintaining integrity and depth.  His tasteful arrangements resonate clearly and shows his trained background.  To check out Bredd's music, visit his BandCamp page and be sure to go to his Facebook to stay updated.  I expect great music from Bredd in the future and look forward to what he will do next.


Thank you for visiting my blog and reading this review.  Please feel free to comment on this article about whatever you feel like (suggestions, what you think of the band, etc...).  If you would like to contact me for any reason, check out the 'Contact' tab above.  Have a nice day and rock on!

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