Broose drop kicks and rolls the Texas singer/songwriter stereotype. He took down the Dallas Deep Ellum music scene as frontman for the bands Pop Poppins and TOOMuchTV, where he acquired regional success and critical acclaim. His unique stamp of thoughtful, melodic songs and pleasantly unpredictable lyrics makes his music a beacon of hope in a sea of similarity. "The depth of the lyrics and the musical ingenuity are startling, almost scary" - Abby Goldstein of KERA Radio, Dallas. “...wonderful, alluring, with shifting textures and rhythms, sets a mood of longing or hope within seconds, and holds it for the rest of the song.” - Dave Ferman, Ft. Worth Star Telegram. “Broose, whose dreamy, ambiguously poetic images and unmistakable voice give striking, visual depth normally associated with Morrisey or Jim Morrison" - Rick Koster, Buddy Magazine.

Swizzle-Stick Review Feb 2005

Broose Dickinson has been in and around the Texas music scene for nearly 20 years. First, with the little-known October 8, and then with the influential alternative-before-it-was-alternative Dallas group Pop Poppins (a fixture in Dallas' Deep Ellum music district and the Texas college circuit in the early Nineties). Broose knows a thing or two about writing accessible pop songs, and his talent hasn't waned over the years. If anything, time has allowed Dickinson to hone his skills and concentrate on making music that appeals to him. And if the fans enjoy it as well, so be it.

Dickinson has been recording under the Broose moniker since his first solo release in 1994, and also released an album under the band name TOOMuchTV. Broose's 2004 release, Psychosomatic Static 1.1, contain songs the musician recorded in his home studio, and run the gamut between simple acoustic strumming and synthed-out pop.

The standout on Psychosomatic Static 1.1, "A Walk In Your Love," sounds vaguely similar to another low-key singer/songwriter, Chicago's Kevin Tihista. It's a great synth-pop song that instantly sticks in the head, also like many of Tihista's songs. But where Tihista relies on wit and wears a lot of his indie cred next to the heart on his sleeve, Broose writes straight-forward pop that spins tales of love ("Don't stop talkin' 'bout what you want from me tonight / so we can feel all right and walk on together / You will be my one / what I would give for love / a walk in your love") but also has a downhome sensability about it ("Dreamer...sleeping by my window / you have wandered in like a drifter / lost and lonesome for home / but you're here and that's enough").

Maybe it's the time spent in smalltown Texas (Dickinson now calls Splendora, a small town near Houston, home). On "Wire Fences," for example, Dickinson sings, "Full day ahead / got a lot to do / build a wire fence / stay away from you." The song is reminiscent of very early country, but the vocal effects keep it from losing much of the modern sound. He also does an odd piece called "Stop Bugging Me," in which he pleads to be left alone (presumably to work on his music). It's a departure from the rest of the album's songs, but is interesting nonetheless. Other high points include "Do You Know Your Lover" and "So Lost Without You." Broose's vocals at times bring to mind Roy Orbison, but his best songs are much more indie singer/songwriter than classic rock or country.

His newest release, London Static EP, was recorded in London with producer Charles "Chicky" Reeves, a long-time Broose collaborator. The five songs are poppy gems, and include versions of "A Walk In Your Love," "Here And That's Enough," "Save The World," and "So Lost Without You" from Psychosomatic Static 1.1. The EP also includes an instrumental track, "Lonesome Train," which is interesting from a technology point of view but fails to keep up with the strength of the other songs.

Both releases are good introductions to Broose's music and show a talented musician coming into his own, both musically and lyrically. "I'm back from the grave," Broose sings on Psychosomatic Static 1.1. But after listening to both of his recent efforts, it's evident he never left.
(David A. Cobb)

Published: February 28, 2005

MyTexasMusic.com Review Jan 2005

Pink Floyd and the Beatles had a baby. It was psychedelic and musical, sort of psycho-musical, if you will. It was Broose. The album is “PSYCHOSOMATIC STATIC 1.1” and it is an array of artist offerings served cafeteria style. Broose (Broose Dickinson, yes “the” Broose Dickinson) uses every imaginable angle from acoustic arrangements to sound effects to pop and rock arrangements to make his point. That might very well be that there’s no point at all, or you might begin to understand about the third time through the album. The vocal work is exceptional on cuts like “A Walk In Your Love” and “The Uncreative Disease” giving us the evidence that Broose is capable of producing mainstream material, but would rather wrap it all in a massive mind ride that makes it one of the most interesting albums this year. Listen to “Stop Bugging Me” and then write me and tell me what message Broose is trying to get across. I enjoyed the disc and we talk about it often. Join the fun, get the disc today!

TexasGigs.com Review Dec 2004

I've always been intrigued with massively talented people. My mom was one of 'em. She was a concert pianist, a painter, a poet and a writer, so perhaps that's why I'm still so drawn to people like her. Come to find; many of the musicians I've come to adore are also gifted artists...and vice-versa. Frank Campagna (a big fave of mine) introduced me to Broose Dickinson...and for that, I'll be forever grateful. Initially Frank pointed me towards Broose to add to TexasGigs Art - but it seems this is one talented fella. I listened to copy of "Psychosomatic Static 1.1" last week and I absolutely love it. It's like a musical journey, full of beautiful sounds and sometimes sweet and sometimes downright hilarious lyrics. Track 2, "Here and That's Enough" is my favorite. It's the kind of song that makes you happy just to be alive. Seriously. I was driving down the Toll Road last week and popped in this CD and actually said aloud, "Gosh it's great to be alive" the minute that track started to play. This album definitely leans towards quirky and Broose' sense of humor is all over the place...like track 8 is a :44-second romp with the lyrics "Do You Know Your Lover" repeated over and over. Other such fun come in the form of "Build a Wire Fence to Stay away from You" and the unexpected non-musical track "Stop Bugging Me" makes me smile every time. Most of the songs on this album are addictive...you'll catch yourself humming them throughout your day.