Description

The Chills – Brave Words – Cassette

Brave Words is the second studio album by the New Zealand band The Chills, released in 1987. Known for their jangle pop sound, The Chills were part of the ‘Dunedin Sound,’ a musical movement from Dunedin, New Zealand, characterized by melodic, guitar-driven pop songs often influenced by punk’s DIY ethos. Brave Words was pivotal in establishing The Chills as one of the leading bands of this scene.

Brave Words builds on the melodic indie pop sound that The Chills developed in their earlier work, including their acclaimed 1986 ‘Kaleidoscope World’ compilation of early singles and EPs. The album features jangly guitars, organ melodies, and the distinctive vocals of Martin Phillipps, the band’s frontman and primary songwriter. The music is both catchy and reflective, with lyrics that often explore themes of love, fear, and introspection amidst vivid, sometimes surreal imagery.

Key Tracks
‘Night of Chill Blue’ – An upbeat track that showcases the band’s knack for combining catchy melodies with deeper emotional undertones.
’16 Heart-Throbs’ – This song highlights the album’s characteristic sound with its vibrant guitars and melancholic vocals.
‘Brave Words’ – The title track represents the thematic core of the album, discussing courage and vulnerability with an introspective lyrical approach.

Brave Words received critical acclaim for its cohesive sound and emotionally resonant songwriting. The album helped solidify The Chills’ reputation both in New Zealand and internationally, particularly among fans of indie and alternative music. Its sound influenced other bands within the Dunedin scene and beyond, contributing to the broader development of indie pop music in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The Chills’ ability to weave intricate narratives with melodic pop sensibilities made ‘Brave Words’ a landmark album in the indie genre, praised for its depth and craftsmanship. It is often cited as one of the essential albums from the New Zealand music scene of the 1980s.

The legacy of Brave Words lies in its influence on the jangle pop genre and its role in defining the Dunedin Sound. The Chills, through this album, left an indelible mark on the indie music landscape, influencing a generation of musicians with their blend of melodic pop and introspective lyrics. The album remains a high point in the discography of The Chills, embodying the innovative spirit of its era and continuing to resonate with new audiences today.

The first proper album from the Chills, following a several-years’-long string of classic indie pop singles, is the culmination of the band’s early promise. Produced by Texas art rock weirdo Mayo Thompson, the sound is thick and echoey, adding a layer of foreboding even to relatively bright tunes like the manic opener ‘Push’ and turning songs like the brilliant ’16 Heartthrobs’ (a creepy, anguished memorial to Jayne Mansfield) into dark, throbbing epics.

Andrew Todd’s organ work is unusually prominent in the mix, overshadowing even Martin Phillipps’ lead vocals on several tracks. The effect tends to treat Phillipps’ voice as another instrument, which when combined with the tumbling logorrhea of his lyrics gives the sound an odd, unsettling urgency. Brave Words doesn’t have the simplicity and directness of the Chills’ early singles (collected on the Kaleidoscope World LP), which caused some longtime fans to dismiss the album upon its release; listened to at some remove, the merits of songs as graceful as ‘Night of Chill Blue’ and the endearing ‘Look for the Good in Others and They’ll See the Good in You’ are obvious. Brave Words may well be the Chills’ finest album.

Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal

Homestead Records

Track Listing
1. Push
2. Rain
3. Speak For Yourself
4. Look For the Good In Others and They’ll See the Good In You
5. Wet Blanket
6. Ghosts
7. House With 100 Rooms
8. Party In My Heart
9. Living In a Jungle
10. Dan Destiny and the Silver Dawn
11. Night of Chill Blue
12. 16 Heart-Throbs
13. Brave Words
14. Dark Carnival
15. Creep