Firecracker People

Hotel Lights | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 19, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bar None Records
• ASIN: B001B92ETY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,740 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hotel Lights - Firecracker People, September 5, 2008

By 

S. D. Mason "www.PoliticianRock.blogspot.com" (Greenville, NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Firecracker People (Audio CD)

Firecracker People (2008, Bar/None) Hotel Lights' second studio album. ****

Few fans of Ben Folds have ever really wondered what happened to Goodman and Jessee after Ben Folds Five split, and even fewer probably cared. And why should they? The frontman had already proved he was a great songwriter, and his emerging solo career was further proof of his skills. But if a Ben Folds fan ever does happen to cross Hotel Lights, they may go back and listen to Whatever and Ever Amen more closely. Sure, Folds dominated the trio throughout their tenure, but Jessee was involved in writing some of the group's better material, including songs like "Kate" and "Brick" (the latter of which Goodman shares credit as well).

Finally, Jessee has broken out and released Firecracker People, an eclectic mix of wonderfully gripping songs that are very memorable. The formula is great; Jessee takes songwriting duties and sings as well - and he's remarkably good. His voice is soft most of the time and doesn't venture to suggest that he has any sort of range. It's all above-baritone delivery, yet it's not high tenor. But it works, as Hotel Lights isn't as explosive as Ben Folds Five was, rather, it's more subdued like Broken Social Scene. And although many of the tunes do have that Folds-tinged sound, it still writhes with originality, especially the album's finest cuts like the rolling title track or the elevating "Chemical Clouds," which pulls the trick of never seemingly reaching the peak you expect it to. The opening isn't electric, but it's engaging, as "Blue Always Finds Me" and "Dream State Flying" are melodic enough to bring anyone in.

The album's finest moment, though, is the neo-psychedelic "Norina." Jessee sings, "Norina, your man is a ghost," and in the chorus simply sings a beautifully reverbed "Ahhh" that is a better statement than most everything else on the album. Jessee has a knack for writing unpredictably catchy songs, and Weatherhead's production is astounding. This is another alternative rock singer-songwriter who everyone should keep their eyes on. Not many drummers write music as gorgeous as this. (Firecracker People, Norina, Chemical Clouds)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely beautiful, September 29, 2008

By 

Renata L. Nascimento "Renata Nascimento" (Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Firecracker People (Audio CD)

This is Hotel Lights' finest record, everything fits beautifully from the melodies to the lyrics and passing through darren's voice.

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid album, February 16, 2010

By 

rocket21 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Firecracker People (MP3 Download)

A fan of Ben Folds Five for some years, I found Darren Jessee's songs to be interesting. While he is known for song writing contributions to the popular songs Brick and Wandering, he also wrote Magic and Leather Jacket, the latter of which follows an unusual song structure.

After seeing the Ben Folds Five reunion concert video, I decided to buy the two Hotel Lights albums. While I found them both to be solid, the first one lacked the hooks to bring me back to it enough.

Firecracker People, however, has some standout songs. Norina has a very catchy refrain, rising to levels that the first album never quite saw. Wedding Day reminds me a bit of Leather Jacket, in that it's a non-traditional, understated, yet interesting song.

Ben Folds Five fans may recognize Amelia Bright, which was originally intended for the cancelled fourth Ben Folds Five album.