The War of the Bruces
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| The War of the Bruces | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2002 | |||
| Recorded | December 2001 – January 2002 | |||
| Genre | Alternative country,[1] baroque rock,[2] indie rock[1] | |||
| Label | Misra | |||
| The Bruces chronology | ||||
| ||||
The War of the Bruces is the second album, released in 2002, by The Bruces.
Style
After nearly eight years had passed from the prior album Hialeah Pink,[3] which Alex McManus spent working with several other indie acts,[4] he released The War of the Bruces. These songs are a culmination of the years he spent as a supporting musician.
The album is primarily guitar driven, but there are instrumental appearances of the banjo, sparse horn sections, and minimal use of keyboards layering the compositions;[4] most are played by McManus, including the fiddle.[3] The lyrics have been described as abstract, and at times metaphorical,[5] and the music as fluid, atmospheric.[1]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [4] |
| FakeJazz | 8 / 12[5] |
| Lazy-i | Yes[6] |
| Pitchfork Media | 8.2[7] |
The War of the Bruces received somewhat positive reviews; Tim McMahon stated that "McManus' dust-covered melodies are a road best taken".[6] However, it took one critic several listens in order to enjoy it.[8] The album appeared on the CMJ music charts on December 2, 2002, at No. 174.[9] After staying on the charts for a total of 4 weeks, The War of the Bruces peaked at No. 151, and departed the charts on December 23, 2002.[10]
