Fission

Film School (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 31, 2010)
• Original Release Date: August 31, 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hi-Speed Soul
• ASIN: B003ZFVIAS
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,846 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

A band who released two critically acclaimed albums on Beggars Banquet, & has toured w/ British Sea Power, The National & Swervedriver. An album of clarity, energy, & change. One of the most notable differences on this album is the more prominent vocal presence of bassist Lorelei Plotczyk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Expectation, September 1, 2010

By 

Fairguy "rock lover" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fission (MP3 Download)

With Fission, Film School takes an important step forward to a simpler, more direct construction and delivery of songs. Whereas in 'Film School' (which stayed on my playlist forever), the tapestry was laid-back, with spacey musical sequences and restrained vocals, here there is a progression to a heavier, faster beat while retaining their trademark multi-layered harmonies. There is a greater degree of variance between the tracks, including a welcome vocal presence by Lorelei Plotczyk which also makes for a more interesting listen.

At first listen, I noticed (2) When I'm Yours (a radio-friendly dance hit), (4) Waited, (5) Meet around 10, (9) Sunny Day, (12) Find you Out; I'm sure that with time this list will evolve. At second listen, this review seems understated - this actually sounds like a hit record. In summary, with this release Film School is worthy of much wider recognition.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe a step to the side of mainstream??, November 16, 2010

By 

bryan "snoopy" deweese (hopefully buried in hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fission (Audio CD)

Film School has always been a band to fight through genre specifics to create something new, global, and different each time. With this new release this is no different. They have stripped the heavy guitar atmosphere and pushed into a more electronic approach. While bands like The Editors have also tried to make the forge into electronic wave riding high nowadays (btw that cd was horrible), Film School doesnt forget where their roots lie. I have always believed they have a distinct "The Cure" influence (especially on self titled cd) and the bass lines on this cd once again summon "simon gallups" inner-ghost. The dual vocals i think are one of the highlights on the cd as the give the band a more fuller sound.
In summery, this cd is worth every penny!! buy it now,...right now! what are u waiting for??

1. Heart full of pentagons
2. when Im yours
3. Sunny day
4. Waiting
5.Meet around 10

3.0 out of 5 stars Goodbye J&M Chain, Cure, etc. Hello Electrofizz 3D, May 2, 2011

By 

djfriendly (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fission (Audio CD)

Sounds like someone's been to an exorcist or to primal therapy. The guitars are still there, but sparer and rarer. Film School have applied their restless talents to bubbly electronics and more insistent use of harmonies. Fission is a cheerful, sunny --read major keys-- album from a band that always sounded like they watched the blair witch or anything by m. night shyamalan in their spare time. Ok, to be fair, Fission is not a bad record; this band has always been able to craft a song or ten. Fishin' seems to cohere better than Hideout, though I can't help feeling that Hideout is still the better album, patchwork of obvious influences or not. The songs on the earlier record are just better crafted, with major atmosphere. Fission is what happens when you mess around with uranium 235 and explosives, in this case warm electronics and the Film School dynamic. Unfortunately the latter seems to have been --deliberately-- muted.
Who knows, I may yet warm up to the record. Their earlier efforts are more original than the two discussed here, but are more like post-rock and can feel a bit impersonal after a while. Sprawling though it may be, I still think Hideout is a success, in a different way than 'Film School' is a success. Fission is an attempt to make a leap into "indietronica" like the Notwist's 'Neon Golden' but remain large-sounding. Maybe it's the lyrics --I don't know. F.S. need to be more creative, engaging, and lyrically sincere all at the same time to make something that will influence someone else --also maybe change their name, fire their manager & conjure up some real ambition.