Album Info

The Relationship

Alternative - 2010

Brian Bell branches off from Weezer with The Relationship — an eponymous debut album bearing fruit that doesn’t fall far... more

Tracklist

1

Something More

3:50 min
2

Please Help Me

3:48 min
3

Thought I Knew

3:43 min
4

Mother Night

3:30 min
5

You Rock My Heart

3:45 min
6

Ugly Things

4:49 min
7

Happiness

2:31 min
8

Patterns of Love

2:10 min
9

Will I Ever See Her Again?

2:28 min
10

Are You Gonna Be There For Me?

3:16 min
11

Master Plan

4:53 min

About The Relationship

Brian Bell branches off from Weezer with The Relationship — an eponymous debut album bearing fruit that doesn’t fall far from the family tree, save for thematic lyrics — all 11 songs here show no mercy for the muse as Bell waxes heartbreak and sorrow throughout. Recorded on an analog eight-track in Bell’s home studio, “Something More” opens with his unmistakable guitar tone as the song blossoms into a mid-tempo rocker with vacuum-tight vocal harmonies, grappling chorus hooks and lyrics of lovelorn lament. “Please Help Me” contrasts emotional desperation with sunny Rickenbacker jangle making way for a Byrdsy 12-string solo. Bell dusts off his acoustic guitar for “Mother Night,” a well-crafted folk rock tune that plays like the long-lost son of Tom Petty — the strolling “You Rock My Heart” even recalls Petty-era Dwight Twilley recordings by filtering a ‘50s-flavored jam through ‘80s power-pop flavors and plenty of that wet vocal slap-back indicative of the time. Easily the most analogue sounding tune of the lot, “You Rock My Heart” is a good example of how to make new recordings sound timeless.