While I was updating my old blog links as a result of putting together the new reflectism.net; the wordpress edition - I noticed I never posted my review of the brilliant Fictionist album in my last.fm journal. So here it is:
Fictionist - "Invisible Hand"
Red Owl Records, 2009-01-09
These guys were completely unknown to me until I ordered a CD from CD Baby and got "Invisible Hand" recommended to me. I immediately went looking for some tracks to preview because I simply can't stay away from the prospect of getting to know something new and great. 30 seconds later I had no doubts whatsoever.
Once in a while an album will seem like it appeared out of the blue and hit you like no other. Leave you with a smile on your face, your day just a little bit better, and fill you with a hope that you'll never ever grow tired of this magnificent album. "Invisible Hand" did that to me.
Hard to pin, Fictionist walk the fine line between pop and rock where no genre tag is even needed. The highlight is without doubt the guitar work. Some brilliant work that provides hooks for just about all of the tracks, making them recognizable but not tiring. The kind that saves tracks from becoming "just another pop/rock song". Beautiful solos of the ethereal kind, small riffs that carry the different portions of the song or add an extra element to the building vocals. I have a soft spot for build-ups and this album is packed with them. The kind that will leave you wondering when it will take off, and somehow end up taking you by surprise once they do.
Album opener "
Noisy Birds" is definitely one of the highlights. It's the kind of song that travels all over the place in terms of mood and tempo, which is sure to keep it lasting for a long time. You want to be there for the ride, which is why it's the perfect beginner.
Songs like "Tightrope Hill", "Nowhere to Go", "Lovers Past", and somewhat "Uptight" take the more standard approach to pop/rock. On "Tightrope Hill" dullness is avoided thanks to a catchy bass line and shivering guitars, while "Nowhere to Go" sets the mood and carries you along all the way to the excellent turn of events around the 4 minute mark. After that you really have nowhere to go.
"Fist" keeps you on your toes throughout the first 3 minutes by changing pace numerous times, until it finally explodes after a last failed attempt at making you believe it never will. All the elements that make up a good rock tune is somehow magically put into this song.
The vocals are never excessive, always adding to the perfect blend of melodies - it drives the tracks just as much as the guitars, and the absence of vocals is especially apparent on "Wakes" which is the only weak spot on this album, although a somewhat fitting prologue to the grand finale. Album closer "Song For B" does the opposite and sets off into a ethereal whirl of sound not heard since Pink Floyd. The only appropriate ending for such an album. If not just to celebrate the guitar.
In other words it's all about the perfect blend. Mix that with a skilled group of musicians truly good at their craft, and you've got a recipe for success. It's only a matter of time. If you're going to buy one album in the first 6 months of 2009 let this be the one. I predict this will be the gem that will send shivers down my spine when I accidentally come across it in my collection in ten years (if I've managed to push it that far back in my brain by then).
Head over to CD Baby and order yourself a copy, after you've listened to some tracks on myspace.
Fictionist official site
And here's the direct link to my blog.
Fictionist - "Invisible Hand"
Red Owl Records, 2009-01-09
These guys were completely unknown to me until I ordered a CD from CD Baby and got "Invisible Hand" recommended to me. I immediately went looking for some tracks to preview because I simply can't stay away from the prospect of getting to know something new and great. 30 seconds later I had no doubts whatsoever.
Once in a while an album will seem like it appeared out of the blue and hit you like no other. Leave you with a smile on your face, your day just a little bit better, and fill you with a hope that you'll never ever grow tired of this magnificent album. "Invisible Hand" did that to me.
Hard to pin, Fictionist walk the fine line between pop and rock where no genre tag is even needed. The highlight is without doubt the guitar work. Some brilliant work that provides hooks for just about all of the tracks, making them recognizable but not tiring. The kind that saves tracks from becoming "just another pop/rock song". Beautiful solos of the ethereal kind, small riffs that carry the different portions of the song or add an extra element to the building vocals. I have a soft spot for build-ups and this album is packed with them. The kind that will leave you wondering when it will take off, and somehow end up taking you by surprise once they do.
Album opener "
Noisy Birds" is definitely one of the highlights. It's the kind of song that travels all over the place in terms of mood and tempo, which is sure to keep it lasting for a long time. You want to be there for the ride, which is why it's the perfect beginner.Songs like "
Tightrope Hill", "Nowhere to Go", "Lovers Past", and somewhat "Uptight" take the more standard approach to pop/rock. On "Tightrope Hill" dullness is avoided thanks to a catchy bass line and shivering guitars, while "Nowhere to Go" sets the mood and carries you along all the way to the excellent turn of events around the 4 minute mark. After that you really have nowhere to go."
Fist" keeps you on your toes throughout the first 3 minutes by changing pace numerous times, until it finally explodes after a last failed attempt at making you believe it never will. All the elements that make up a good rock tune is somehow magically put into this song.The vocals are never excessive, always adding to the perfect blend of melodies - it drives the tracks just as much as the guitars, and the absence of vocals is especially apparent on "
Wakes" which is the only weak spot on this album, although a somewhat fitting prologue to the grand finale. Album closer "Song For B" does the opposite and sets off into a ethereal whirl of sound not heard since Pink Floyd. The only appropriate ending for such an album. If not just to celebrate the guitar.In other words it's all about the perfect blend. Mix that with a skilled group of musicians truly good at their craft, and you've got a recipe for success. It's only a matter of time. If you're going to buy one album in the first 6 months of 2009 let this be the one. I predict this will be the gem that will send shivers down my spine when I accidentally come across it in my collection in ten years (if I've managed to push it that far back in my brain by then).
Head over to CD Baby and order yourself a copy, after you've listened to some tracks on myspace.
Fictionist official site
And here's the direct link to my blog.
