The billblog has been debating whether to post a review of Brasstronaut's debut album, Mount Chimaera. It's a gem so why not? Well, there's a disclaimer that could undercut the value of the opinions of your weird, yet wonderful scribe, namely, the familial relationship with a member of the band. I begat Samuel Davidson, the EWI / clarinet ninja with Brasstronaut.

To offer value, the billblog has waited with infinite patience for other reviewers to do their job, for tweeps to tweet and for bits of opinion and reflection from extraneous music lovers to float into the mix. The verdict from the input thus far? It's a crazy-ass success and generously applauded even before it's US release later this month. So this review is solely based on the comments of others. (Well, maybe not "solely", but certainly a strong "mostly".)

Consider these:

NOW Magazine: 4 out of 5 N's "Who knew that jazzy horn solos could fit so well into guitar rock songs?"

Straight.com: 4 out of 5 headphones "One gets the impression that Mount Chimaera was a carefully plotted-out affair, with Brasstronaut shooting for precise objectives. Thrilling audiences was surely on that list, and it’s a directive that the outfit has unquestionably accomplished."

FASHION Magazine: "Laid back trumpet and synth bellows morph into taut and jaunty tunes. But an opposite spin always appears on the next number, turning Mt. Chimaera’s eight songs into a torturously brief album. However loud or quiet these songs can be, just crank the volume and let Mt. Chimaera run its course."

the Sil: 4.5/5 "Thanks to the group’s innovative use of drums, trumpet and clarinet, Mt. Chimaera is essentially an r&b-soul album. Brennan Saul, the group’s drummer, is Brasstronaut’s secret weapon. His drumming is more textured than is often expected from indie-rock drummers—at times giving the songs a timeless, jazz quality that is perfectly accented by the group’s use of clarinet and trumpet lines in place of lead guitar riffs."

There are more reviews to be had on the web, but the point has been made. Non?

And furthermore, the billblogger attended the first live concert of Brasstronaut's lengthy North American tour, discovering that while Brasstonaut's recorded music slays, their live performance vapourizes and leaves one a mere grease-spot and a bit of ash on a chair. I noticed that musicians in the audience were riveted, eyes a tad glazed and some leaning forward. Your odd, yet lovable scribe, didn't even get around to taking photos. It was the first time I had taken in a live Brasstronaut performance.

My buddy, B., put the Mount Chimera into the player in his van, in continuous play whenever he drove. And so on. Just reporting here. Just saying.

My own comment is this: Not only are the musicians of a high-calibre but their sense of ensemble playing is superb and the layering of sounds exquisite.

Why not catch Brasstronaut on tour? If you live in Kamloops, Nelson, Canmore, Lethbridge, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Fargo, Chicago, Windsor or Peterborough you are too late for this tour. However, you are in luck. if you live in Boston, NYC, Brooklyn, London, Guelph, Toronto, Jamestown, South-By-Southwest (Austin), Toronto, Ottawa ... and so on all over the map. Check the tour schedule HERE.

Want the album? Get it from the Brasstronaut Home Page or from iTunes. It's available as a CD and in vinyl in Canada and soon in the USA. Not sure if the distributor has them in your local CD outlet, but do ask.

On twitter: @Brasstronaut.

Keep on having a successful tour guys. Hope you make it to Vancouver Island.

Peace out.