These Branches The Payoff

  full reviewuser ratings (4) 
Tracklist:
1. Profiteer
2. Last Days
3. Purist
4. Purest


Release Date: 10/30/2011

user rating
3.5
great
Chart.

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3.5
great
Statrick Pickles CONTRIBUTOR (61 Reviews)

October 31st, 2011 | 19 replies | 2,770 views

Summary: Bomb that damn music industry already

1 of 1 thought this review was well written

Nick Hertzberg and Bryan Batiste aren't big on equivocation. The Payoff, the most recent release from their band These Branches on DIY label Kat Kat records, doesn't exactly leave a lot of (if any) space for it. Less than a dozen minutes are burned as the duo utilize their blitzkrieg approach to blast through four punch-packing tracks of raw, unfiltered punk rock. Not a single breath is squandered on The Payoff while Hertzberg and Batiste effectively voice their discontent on anything from sleazy band promotors and manipulative friends to the uncompromising expectations of society. It's made quite clear that the system just isn't working for them, and the release marks the twosome's most recent effort to alter that fact.

No aspect of The Payoff is without purpose and conviction; the instrumentation is driven and straightforward, no further profundities lie dormant beneath obscure and flowery songwriting. These Branches simply hide nothing in their music. Closing track 'Purest', arguably the EP's defining moment, leaves the listener with something really worth thinking about in its opening line of "why are our wings clipped?" The Payoff isn't about punk rock scenes and tight jeans, it's about banding together in the spirit of solidarity and hoping the selfish ones asphyxiate on their Christian Dior.

When all the dust and finger-pointing settles, it becomes clear that something bigger than disappointment lies beneath the tracks on The Payoff. As the grievances regarding a disillusioned industry and failed relationships are sequentially aired, it's obvious that these two are absolutely loving their roles as condemners. With every ounce of dissatisfaction on the EP comes an equitable amount of satisfaction - the sort of gratification that goes hand in hand with being unequivocally in love with what you do every day. That's exactly what Hertzberg and Batiste are doing with their time here. For these kids, every waking moment is an opportunity to make music with friends, and the attitude on The Payoff reflects this. They've paid their dues to an oppressive society. Well this is the sound of those dues paying back.

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Comments:Add a Comment 
iFghtffyrdmns
Contributing Reviewer
October 31st 2011



6989 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

lol @ privileged white kids trying to write about punk rawk and stuff

STREAM: http://katkatrecords.bandcamp.com/
If you're cool, you best be listening to this cause I know you've got nothing better to do for twelve minutes.

Digging: Spraynard - Funtitled

Digging: Spraynard - Funtitled

mallen-
October 31st 2011



1225 Comments


hey nice review contributor

i'm all over this

Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself

Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself

pizzamachine
Contributing Reviewer
October 31st 2011



11688 Comments


that was dece

iFghtffyrdmns
Contributing Reviewer
October 31st 2011



6989 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

hey thanks mike, glad you guys are feeling it.... I don't see what isn't to like about 12 minutes of fast accessible punk rawkrawkrawk

pizzamachine
Contributing Reviewer
October 31st 2011



11688 Comments


It kinda reminds me of this: http://dickkicker.bandcamp.com/

Xenophanes
Contributing Reviewer
October 31st 2011



7997 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Hey there mister. That's some fine writtin' you done there.

Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala

Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala

iFghtffyrdmns
Contributing Reviewer
October 31st 2011



6989 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

damn pizza yeah it kinda does, like a less metal'd, less raunchy version but definitely. and I had to just pos your review for dickkicker based solely on that awesome summary.

hey thanks Eli! did I mention how nice that tag looks on you yet?

Xenophanes
Contributing Reviewer
October 31st 2011



7997 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Haha, thanks man. Feelin' pretty good too I might add. Makes you look rather daper too haha

pizzamachine
Contributing Reviewer
October 31st 2011



11688 Comments


CONTRIBUTORS IN DA HOOOOS

Xenophanes
Contributing Reviewer
November 1st 2011



7997 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I know right, we're EVERYWHERE!

Xenophanes
Contributing Reviewer
November 1st 2011



7997 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER

iFghtffyrdmns
Contributing Reviewer
November 1st 2011



6989 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

aw piss off casey you're killing all my sputswag

bbatiste
November 1st 2011



5 Comments


YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE EP ON OUR BANDCAMP

HTTP://WWW.THESEBRANCHES.BANDCAMP.COM

iFghtffyrdmns
Contributing Reviewer
November 1st 2011



6989 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

YES everybody/anybody should definitely do so.
if not, well then fuck you and your bottle of Brut, jackass.

Xenophanes
Contributing Reviewer
November 1st 2011



7997 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Who gives themselves a 3.5?

iFghtffyrdmns
Contributing Reviewer
November 1st 2011



6989 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

well not Lakes
and not Atavan

so I guess Brian Batiste does

bbatiste
November 2nd 2011



5 Comments


totally, i was gonna do less but i was feeling saucy

Xenophanes
Contributing Reviewer
November 2nd 2011



7997 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

It's fairly respectable. I love Kidcrash, but one of their members 5'd all of their stuff. Pretty tacky on his part, so kudos to you guy I'll give this a go

bbatiste
November 2nd 2011



5 Comments


Thanks man, sarcasm dominates my personality so don't think i take myself too seriously. enjoy the tunes, and be sure to
rate it ha



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