{"id":22624,"date":"2023-07-11T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-11T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rpmonline.co.uk\/?p=22624"},"modified":"2023-07-08T16:42:54","modified_gmt":"2023-07-08T16:42:54","slug":"brodie-lane-pain-is-gold-redplay-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rpmonline.co.uk\/?p=22624","title":{"rendered":"Brodie Lane \u2018Pain is Gold\u2019 (RedPlay Media)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Over 30 years ago here in Texas, three brothers started a band that would make a sizable impact here in this state but was never able to make the leap to wider audiences despite record deals with TVT and Sony. Vallejo was the name of the band, and they fused alternative rock with Latin rhythms. I first heard the band just over 20 years ago when they were transitioning from Sony to their own record label when I saw them live in Austin. I was blown away by what I heard and immediately became a fan. The band continued to self-release albums every few years or so but have been seemingly put on long-term hiatus over the past few years with the band members remaining in music but doing different projects. A.J. Vallejo (vocals) put Brodie Lane together who released their debut full-length \u2018Hot Dirt\u2019 back in 2020, which partially connected with me. I felt like the band was trying to find their footing, and I have found live versions of those songs much more compelling. Following a few non-album singles, the band has just released their excellent and varied follow-up album \u2018Pain is Gold.\u2019 I have been playing this album consistently since it dropped, and my favorites from it keep changing with each listen. While it is not strictly a concept album, it is an album that follows a guy through some life and relationship trials and tribulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A brief spoken word intro leads into the title track that has a swirling guitar riff and a strong hook. Vallejo\u2019s vocals (also guitar) are immediately recognizable with a song that I think most of us can relate to when we are hurting. I remember Henry Rollins once saying something to the effect of \u2018when life gives you lemons, squeeze them and embrace the pain.\u2019 That sentiment seems to be in alignment here where we are channeling into the pain and knowing that we have to experience it to be able to cherish life when the pain subsides. The driving rhythm pounds the message home. \u2018My Heart\u2019 should be a single with a midtempo beat matched with a catchy vocal hook and lyrics that spill from Vallejo\u2019s heart.\u00a0 Brodie Lane is completed with Ray Kainz (guitar), Alex Geismar (drums), and Joe Fladger (bass) who each bring their own special ingredients to the band with Kainz\u2019 and Vallejo\u2019s guitar work standing out in the second half of this song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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