Review: We Are Scientists, Brain Thrust Mastery

The album eschews the scenester party-and-sex themes of With Love and Squalor for more grown-up subject matter.

We Are Scientists, Brain Thrust MasteryTrio-turned-duo We Are Scientists move in a slightly glossier direction for their third full-length, Brain Thrust Mastery, adding a slick pop sheen to their post-punk sound. There are few tracks here that approach the hard-edged pop splendor of “It’s a Hit,” “Textbook,” or their minor hit “Nobody Move, Nobody Gets Hurt,” though “Lethal Enforcer” is notable for being as blatantly ’80s new wave as the band has ever come, and for sporting a self-referential lyric that serves as the impetus for the entire album: “Love’s a classic ‘cause it always works.” Aside from the lead single “After Hours,” which attempts—and fails—to turn staying out all night and drinking into something deeper than just staying out all night and drinking, Brain Thrust Mastery eschews the scenester party-and-sex themes of the band’s sorta-breakthrough With Love and Squalor for more grown-up subject matter. Opening track, “Ghouls,” sets the album’s tone with the put-on self-deprecation of its repeated refrain, “We all recognize that I’m the problem here.” Ironically, head scientist Keith Murray dismisses hard evidence and natural inclinations by asking the object of his haphazard affection to have a little blind faith on “Let’s See It.” He goes on to lament the promises he made to her on “Impatience,” then shamelessly vows not to make anymore on “Tonight,” and ultimately comes off like a pompous ass on “Spoken For,” all of which serves as evidence for only one conclusion: Murray probably makes a really shitty boyfriend.

Score: 
 Label: Astralwerks  Release Date: July 10, 2007  Buy: Amazon

Sal Cinquemani

Sal Cinquemani is the co-founder and co-editor of Slant Magazine. His writing has appeared in Rolling Stone, Billboard, The Village Voice, and others. He is also an award-winning screenwriter/director and festival programmer.

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