A New Brain Cast

A New Brain Cast was a musical ensemble led by William Finn, who handled vocals and piano. The group included James Lapine on lyrics and Michael John LaChiusa on music. They worked together on material that became known for its experimental rock sound and cerebral lyrics.

Their songs like "Brain Dead" and "Sitting Becalmed In The Lee Of Cuttyhunk" reflected the group's interest in exploring complex themes through music. The material often dealt with introspective subjects and pushed against conventional boundaries in its approach.

While the group's output was sometimes met with mixed reactions due to its challenging nature, their work found an audience interested in music that operated outside mainstream expectations. The songs remain examples of a particular kind of theatrical, thought-driven rock from that period.