Customer Reviews

Kick Up the Fire & Let the Flames Break Loose

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had a stack of albums at the record store and just added this album because it was on sale for $7.99. Basically, I'll take a risk on just about any super-cheap album in the "Recommended" rack, so I figured "why not?" It took me forever to listen to it, I just kept putting it off. I finally listened to it a few days ago and I just can't stop. They are SO GOOD.

Picture Mars Volta combined with Radiohead combined with a way less annoying Linkin Park and you begin to understand this groups sound. ANother great thing about this album is that just when you think might be finally getting predictable, it throws you a curveball and sucks you back in. I'm so glad I took a chance on this random album and found a gem.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I bought this album prior to See Through This and Leave, and have to say that I much prefer it to its predecessor. Kick Up the Flames.. is a fine album from start to end.

The album may feel a bit "proggy" for some, with its extended bass and synth sections, but don't let this put you off; this album rocks. The lead singer's voice is very reminiscent of Liam Gallagher, and, in my opinion, this album shows the direction Oasis *should* have taken following Definitely Maybe.

Beware, if you have a sub-woofer, turn it down before putting this on - I've blown two of the blighters on this album now (New Toys and Talking to a Brick Wall have lots of low level bass that makes them go loon).

One of the things I particularly like about this album is its non-linearity, every track seems to suddenly twist into a different direction - for example Talking to a Brick Wall initially seems slow and plodding, only to break out into a frenzy, Same Mistakes starts almost like a lullaby, but ends in a manic haze of angst, and Into My Arms, a beautiful love song, ends in a plethora of industrial noise.

The only track I can easily miss out on is In Your Prime, it just doesn't seem to go anywhere.

The majority of this album is a high point, but I am particularly fond of Same Mistakes, Promises Promises, Blind Pilots and Written Apology.

It may not be to everyone's tastes, but it certainly works for me. Give it a whirl...

I will admit that when I first bought Kick Up the Fire I did not like it. In fact, I hated it. Where was the pummelling aggro-electro from See Through This? I took the cd out of my player and set it aside, utterly despondant, thinking that another favorite band had crapped out.

I put the cd in a few days later and found that, while I still wasn't thrilled by it, I could at least tolerate it. Needless to say, after many more listens, it is now one of my favorite cds of the year (actually last year since I stupidly shelled out $30 for the import). "The Same Mistakes" is flatout one of the best songs these guys have written; the controlled dynamics are fabulous. "Promises, Promises" kicks back to the old-style with aggressive riffs and snarling vocals. "New Toys" nails an awesome chorus. "Into My Arms" softens things until the boys decide to unleash the industrial fury. "Blind Pilots" is a great pop song, too bad it will probably never be heard on radio here (though the grisly video might open some doors). Of course all this leads to the climactic "Written Apology." I thought they would never be able to outdo "Murder Song" but they did. What I love about this group is that they do not adhere to one style of music. It is a reflection of all the members and their probably differing styles and tastes in music. The song begins almost hushed, morphs into a barband sing along, morphs again into a guitar blaze up, rests briefly, and transforms into a techno drillnbass workout worthy of Aphex Twin/Squarepusher, all the while maintaining the melody throughout.

This cd is amazing. You have to give it several listens before it is apparent, but it is well worth your time to give it a chance. These guys are touring the US this summer. Their live show is supposed to be phenomenal. Check them out.

I could hardly believe that this album actually was released in th US, much to my surprise I see this at my local record store (even the latest Muse album has gotten a domestic released) well anyways no matter how late it is, this is just a phenomenal record. After the first album you could see the potential in these guys but I didnt expect them to completely blow me away like they did with this album. Every single song on here is great, not a weak link. The opener "the same mistakes" starts off the album on a very strong foot and never lets down until the end of the 10 minute final track. The sheer violence in some of the song structures (music box for example) is remarkable, and the whole album shows a depth that is rarely found in music today as well as a lush sonic soundscape throughout the album. I cant reccomend this enough. 5 stars out of 5

The Cooper Temple Clause follow up their 2002 debut album "See This Through and Leave" with "Kick Up The Fire" (10 tracks, 53 min.), with excellent results. For those not familiar with TCTC, think Hawkwind-meets-Radiohead-meets-Pink Floyd, but with more guitars.

"Kick Up the Fire" is making serious waves in the UK, with the singles "Promises Promises" and "Blind Pilots", both of which are pretty straight-forward power-rock tunes. But it's on the more adventurous tracks that TCTC really shines. Take the opener "The Same Mistakes", sounding ambient yet pulsating. Even better is "New Toys", which is what Radiohead should sound like if they had the guts. The album's "piece-de-resistance" is the closing track "Written Apology", an epic 10 min. blow-out of piano, guitar and electronic noodling, fantastic!

To entice US fans even more, the US version of the album comes with 2 bonus tracks (live versions of the debut album tracks "Been Training Dogs" and "Did You Miss Me"), and the video for "Promises, Promises".

Released last Fall in the UK, I named this album my favorite album of 2003, and I still feel that way. Thankfully the album has finally been released in the US: better late than never! TCTC continues the wave of high-quality UK bands ready to conquer this side of the Atlantic. If you like "alterna" rock, you cannot go wrong with this album.

This was one of those CDs I was recommended and that I actually picked up without any looking into. I can't even say how ecstastic I am that I decided to just go ahead and get it.

With an atmospheric sound that pulls you into the music and refuses to let you play it as mere background noise, Kick Up The Fire, And Let The Flames Break Loose stands out in a whole array of albums that have been channeling back to the 80s. "New Toys" shines with a very Radiohead-esque sound, "Talking to a Brick Wall" is a personal favorite, while "Music Box" is pure brilliance.

I'm still listening to the CD and disovering more and more how much I like it; some of the guitar riffs leave you stunned because of how they hit you at the least expected times and the although much experimentation can be seen on the editing side, the CD benefits from the less-refined feel.

Those expecting the familar guitar-barrages of their debut might be in for a letdown. 'Kick Up the Fire & Let the Flames Break Loose' seems to be a watered-down version of 'See This Through And Leave'. There's more of the Pink Floydian electronic-tweaks and less of the tornado-like guitar-attacks, steering away from the elements which made their debut appealling. I compare the drop-off, erm transition, to the Beta Band's debut/EP to 'Hot Shots 2' opting for a softer, minimalistic, electronic-based sound. The backing rhythm continues pump-out clockwork beats, interesting experimental twists, along with an overall cinematic vibe. But after 'See This Through And Leave' one expects more guitar flashes than silent gaps, which makes me appreciate their debut even more.

I saw this band at the recent CMJ festival. It was their first New York City performance. They were intent on making an impression. They came off at times like a shoegazer band that occasionally wanted to be as heavy as Nine Inch Nails. When you listen to the records, they take you on a strange journey that is unpredictable. Songs like the mellow "The Same Mistakes" is a far cry from the heavy metal of "Promises, Promises." Singer Ben Gautrey recalls the vocal stylings of Liam Gallagher, but they probably sound more like The Who than Oasis. Other songs get more into the electronic sounds of the Warp Label and Radiohead's music. This record has already succeeded in the UK. Many indie kids in America follow the British Magazines like dogs to vomit. Whether this more progressive sound will catch on in the States is debatable. People seem pretty happy reliving the Britpop era of 1994-95. The Coopers dare to move on to the next thing.

I saw the band life and was anxious to hear their album. I was very dissappointed. There are many unnecessarily long segments with keyboards pointlessly puttering along. The songs are occassionally catchy but that feeling is invariably squashed by awkward stops and starts. The performances lack any passion or grit. They intrigued live; I hope they go back to the studio drawing board.