Album Notes

Brax Cutchin is almost there. He has just completed The Length of the Day, an 11-song CD that showcases his strong songwriting, his distinct vocals and an immensely talented band.

So what does Brax sound like? The music has been described as "U2 meets Wilco," and Brax's voice sounds like "a blend of Johnny Cash and David Bowie." But ultimately you'll realize that Brax is Brax. It's passionate, literate pop-rock songwriting performed with heart and abandon.

The musicianship of the band is top-notch, starting with the foundation: drummer Mike Bedard, who also sings excellent backing vocals and has played with Brax for five years. Bassist Steve Whalen anchors the band with his warm and solid groove while guitarist Fren Asken uses rich tones to create buoyant textures that complement Brax's rhythm guitar.

The Length of the Day will be released independently on November 11, 2003 and
follows the 5-song EP, March, which Brax recorded after relocating to Los Angeles from San Diego in 2001.

Brax recently received an Honorable Mention in the 2003 Billboard Songwriting Contest for Disciple, a song from his first full-length album, Thru, and Almost There was selected as a semi-finalist for the RPM Direct Unsigned Vol. 3 Compilation. Brax also received nominations for two San Diego Music Awards in 2000: "Best Rock" and "Best Pop Album" for Thru. The band was also nominated for "Best Rock Band" in the 2000 San Diego Reader Best of San Diego poll.

And don't overlook the lyrics. Almost There is a visually arresting account of the near-completion of a long and tiring journey. "I can almost taste the champagne," Brax sings and then asks you not to give up on him.

Amidst ambient guitars, vintage synths skate across a post-modern groove, and Rocket Science begs us not to over-think love. "I have never been aware of a formula for love."

Sundown in Austin is a moving love song about a shared and timeless sunset. The dobro work of Fren Asken is featured over layers of loops, accordion, mandolin and acoustic guitar. "I can't look away from your beautiful face."

The Day After The Day After is a song about carrying on after a great loss. "I'm going to miss conversations like this."

Somewhere, America arrives with a bit of comic relief and finds Brax at his best as a songwriter. The arrangement fuses country, reggae, rock, folk and even Latin music into a melancholy look at wanting what you don't have. "She did say that she needed money, but that's the kind of thing she does."

The Length of the Day is a modern American album full of universal truths. It looks at love and loss and, most importantly, moving on. It is about a journey. A journey traveled on love and faith and dreams.

For Brax, this journey seems to be nearing completion. And yet, you get the feeling that another journey is just about to begin.