Undue Noise
12/12/08, 01:33 PM
Bigger Lights, The - Fiction Fever
Record Label: Doghouse Records
Release Date: October 7, 2008
Fairfax quartet The Bigger Lights are going places.
Well, with an EP like this, they deserve to at any rate. Fans of any music can appreciate the simple nature of the song structure, that is so fine-tuned on this EP that a little foot tapping or head bopping can’t go amiss. With a youthful energy in every song that is hard to dislike, the Fiction Fever EP will give you listening pleasure on repeat for a long time.
Though some songs on the EP are somewhat similar, this doesn’t hinder the band as they have so much on offer throughout this six-track EP. With fabulously crafted songs like "Goldmine Valentine" playing out the most diverse song on the album, its skittish, understated drum beat echoing along with vocalist Topher Talley’s staged whispered vocals, building up to one of the catchiest choruses of the EP, you can’t help but sing along.
The lyrics of the EP are also well written and cohesive as a whole, both "Closer (Time Stops Breathing)" and "Apocalypse" showing off their ability to tell stories and capture the interest of the listener. While the themes of the songs may be simplistic in nature, the band pull it off with more finesse than many bands. While there is the obligatory occasional wordplay ("She swore before her chastity / With tongue and burning cheek"), these moments blend in unnoticed with the rest of the songs. These odd moments of irony or wordplay don’t annoy unlike many other bands who have attempted the same, which usually just don’t make sense (“I’m stealing lines from myself / And what I said was never said.” Anyone? No? Good.).
While it would be highly pretentious to say The Bigger Lights are not doing what has probably been done a thousand times before, they know their craft well, if not better, than most. In a sadly auto-tuned world, where many so-called "Myspace-bands" fall flat on their faces after having to perform live, The Bigger Lights avoid this trap by being truly talented at what they do. The influence of bands such as All Time Low and The All-American Rejects can definitely be heard in Talley’s voice, as well as the ability to craft simple, three-minute, pop rock songs; a gift which makes this EP stand out.
While these songs certainly aren’t life-changing, not everything needs to be; listening to this EP will take an open mind. The Bigger Lights are not another "haircut" band, whose music can be guessed from their clothing or look. While they may have flavors of other bands thrown in, the music is consistent, contemporary and most importantly, it won’t leave your head for weeks.
All Time Low; catchy pop rock; We the Kings, Mae, The Maine, The All-American Rejects; sunshine
myspace.com/thebiggerlights (http://www.myspace.com/thebiggerlights)
Record Label: Doghouse Records
Release Date: October 7, 2008
Fairfax quartet The Bigger Lights are going places.
Well, with an EP like this, they deserve to at any rate. Fans of any music can appreciate the simple nature of the song structure, that is so fine-tuned on this EP that a little foot tapping or head bopping can’t go amiss. With a youthful energy in every song that is hard to dislike, the Fiction Fever EP will give you listening pleasure on repeat for a long time.
Though some songs on the EP are somewhat similar, this doesn’t hinder the band as they have so much on offer throughout this six-track EP. With fabulously crafted songs like "Goldmine Valentine" playing out the most diverse song on the album, its skittish, understated drum beat echoing along with vocalist Topher Talley’s staged whispered vocals, building up to one of the catchiest choruses of the EP, you can’t help but sing along.
The lyrics of the EP are also well written and cohesive as a whole, both "Closer (Time Stops Breathing)" and "Apocalypse" showing off their ability to tell stories and capture the interest of the listener. While the themes of the songs may be simplistic in nature, the band pull it off with more finesse than many bands. While there is the obligatory occasional wordplay ("She swore before her chastity / With tongue and burning cheek"), these moments blend in unnoticed with the rest of the songs. These odd moments of irony or wordplay don’t annoy unlike many other bands who have attempted the same, which usually just don’t make sense (“I’m stealing lines from myself / And what I said was never said.” Anyone? No? Good.).
While it would be highly pretentious to say The Bigger Lights are not doing what has probably been done a thousand times before, they know their craft well, if not better, than most. In a sadly auto-tuned world, where many so-called "Myspace-bands" fall flat on their faces after having to perform live, The Bigger Lights avoid this trap by being truly talented at what they do. The influence of bands such as All Time Low and The All-American Rejects can definitely be heard in Talley’s voice, as well as the ability to craft simple, three-minute, pop rock songs; a gift which makes this EP stand out.
While these songs certainly aren’t life-changing, not everything needs to be; listening to this EP will take an open mind. The Bigger Lights are not another "haircut" band, whose music can be guessed from their clothing or look. While they may have flavors of other bands thrown in, the music is consistent, contemporary and most importantly, it won’t leave your head for weeks.
All Time Low; catchy pop rock; We the Kings, Mae, The Maine, The All-American Rejects; sunshine
myspace.com/thebiggerlights (http://www.myspace.com/thebiggerlights)