Fire Catches On

Album Reviews

Travelling Forwards, Facing Backwards
10/02/08

I’m not sure what the desired effect is here. Some tracks seem to be veering on the side of commercial hardcore/alternative, but then again, other works such as ‘Cupid Stunt’ are, at least to an extent, experimental as far as song structues go. JSCATSAW works fine until the ending vocals which really don’t add anything to the song. ‘Push/take/Give Pull is possibly the best song here, with an interesting chord progression and a flow that is largely absent from this disc. ‘My Space Station’ wanders quite a bit; it’s fine experimenting, but the song must feel like it has a purpose, or is at least going somewhere, or have something to hold it together. ‘Mr Mirrow Window’ has plenty of good ideas but does need a degree of polishing; overall, not a bad effort, but I think this band need to furmly establish what they want to do with their music before recording anymore. Promise, though.

5/10

Set list:

1. ‘JSCSATSAW’
2. ‘Cupid Stunt’
3. ‘My Space Station’
4. ‘Swollen Bags’
5. ‘Learn’
6. ‘Push/Take/Give Pull’
7. ‘!’
8. ‘Hippy Shake’
9. ‘Mr Mirror Window’
10. ‘Shudder Dance’

Matt