In 1994, on the heels of the success of bands like Green Day and Offspring, major labels scrambled to find more money- making punk bands. It's a typical practice among those corporate hounds, really: wait for a pioneering band to prove itself, then saturate the market with music of the same vein. Inevitably, the money doesn't pour in, a backlash occurs, and the impersonal biggies who never gave a shit about the music to begin with drop these bands in favor of the next big thing. Such was the case with Bracket. Fortunately for them, Fat Wreck Chords was there for the rescue. The indie's been rather loyal to these boys over the years, and personally, I have difficulty understanding why.

Here's the thing. I'm a self- proclaimed pizzaholic, but I insist on a varied diet so as not to depreciate the nearly erotic experience that accompanies each slice that comes into my life. It's the same principle that many of us have struggled with after death- defying drinking binges: too much of a good thing is bad. "The sweetest honey is loathsome is his own deliciousness," right? Now, I love harmony. It has a wonderful ability to elevate even the most basic melody. And when used sparingly, it really helps to transport music beyond the ordinary. But Bracket insist on using harmonies all the friggin' time, until one becomes numb not only to the harmonies, but the music altogether.

Bracket's latest is entitled Novelty Forever, and I guess the band is a little goofy in comparison to other bands; their use of unconventional chord progressions and key changes makes for a fairly unique sound. But when judged strictly on their own terms, the novelty disappears soon after the record begins. Perhaps this is why the guys are most effective when heard on a compilation.

Two things become abundantly clear when listening to Novelty Forever. Firstly, it's easy to comprehend why the band never caught on in the larger market, and secondly, one recognizes the value of having friends (particularily at independent record labels) that will stick by you no matter how unworthy you truly are.

-Kevin Ruggeri