Brud Review SEE magazine

Chad Richardson
The Legends of Brud
(Aquarius)

There were some unfortunate decisions made in the recording of chef-turned singer/songwriter Chad Richardson's début CD the legends of brud. The disc's first song, Heart Attack Victim, contains great promise with its driving chorus and simply engaging lyrics. On the second song, Coming Back, the production savvy of Richardson and Robert Digioia are evident, thanks to a well-placed lone drummer in the intro and tasteful backing vocals throughout. Later in the album, Richardson precisely betrays the influence of ex-Crowded House dweller Neil Finn.

Basically, this Newfoundland-born musician (a brother of Jody, former lead singer of Thomas Trio and the Red Albino) proves he's no folksy singer/songwriter - he's got modern rock sense. But that's part of the reason some of the tunes are almost grating; they offer rock-star guitar stylings or repetitive vocals instead of the sense of personal.struggle someone like Hayden would give to the same material.

The good tunes, however, just might make the legends of brud all worthwhile.

Stew Slate