Track Listing

1. Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth
2. Stereo (Mono Mono)
3. Her Hairagami Set
4. Credit Card Mail Order
5. Obligatory Road Song
6. Small Town Crew
7. If You Were Alien
8. Wall Poster Star
9. Structure & Cosmetics

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #69243 in Music
• Released on: 2007-08-07
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
The Sub Pop debut by these New Zealand natives features breezy, effervescent, Shangri-Las-reminiscent pop. The backing band ranges from five to ten strong and incorporates the marimba, trumpet, alto and tenor sax, and more. "Structure & Cosmetics" retains the sweetly charming, sunbeam-drenched sound The Brunettes are known for, but adds a hint of darkness and drama in other tracks. They've played with the likes of The Shins, Rilo Kiley, The Postal Service, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

Customer Reviews

So fresh and so clean
The Brunettes are another one of those bands that I had on my list of albums to listen to but I don't remember where I heard of them. At any rate, their latest EP Structure & Cosmetics is pretty good.

This album might feel a little dated to the average listener, especially considering that the duo kind of reminds me of the Buggles (especially on "Stereo (Mono Mono)" and the title track, not that they're bad songs). But there are other good songs like "Small Town Crew", the playful "Her Hairagami Set", and when they poke fun at the industry, "Obligatory Road Song".

The only song I can do without is "If You Were Alien". The Brunettes' style isn't for everyone, but Structure & Cosmetics is still worth a listen.

Anthony Rupert

Crushingly dissappointed
I've been a Brunettes fan for years now. I saw them open for Rilo Kiley and I was hooked! After memorizing all the lyrics to all the songs of their previous two albums and EPs and pre-ordering this album, Structure and Cosmetics was like a kick in the teeth. When you put a Brunettes album into your music player of choice, you do so because you want some fun, cynical bubble-gum pop. I'm all for evolution of a band's sound, but this album doesn't have the cute, catchy appeal of Things Things Take Time or When Ice Met Cream. The heavily publicized songs like Her Hairagami Set are still kinda fun, but they don't hold a candle to older Brunettes stuff.

If you're a fan like me and you haven't heard the album, borrow it from a friend before you buy it and make your own decision. If you're just getting into The Brunettes, buy one of their older LPs. This one just isn't them.

awesome
Just saw The Brunettes live last night at a small club. Didn't really know their music well, but they're amazing. This album is great. They're very talented and seem genuinely lovely!