Let's Build Fire

+/-, +/- {Plus/Minus} | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Absolutely Kosher
• ASIN: B000IFRQR2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #303,776 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A solid indie pop album. Notably consistent., January 27, 2008

By 

J. Mccarther "xylophonist" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let's Build Fire (Audio CD)

I don't really listen to alot of this kind of music. It's pretty much just straight up indie rock, in the same category as alot big names like Death Cab For Cutie, The Shins, and so forth. This album is, however, extremely impressive. Not only is it consistently well arranged from song to song, but there is a certain earnestness to the lyricism that I find extremely attractive. These guys aren't nearly as snarky, or self-important as most of the bands they share the genre with. It's nice.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb sleeper album, November 9, 2008

By 

Stargrazer "the lost mixtape of my life" (deep in the heart of Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Let's Build Fire (Audio CD)

+/- flies under the radar.

With one of the hardest band names to Google-search ever, their presence on the indie-rockscape is the equivalent of someone living in your neighborhood as part of Witness Protection. I seems deliberate, an attempt to remain obscure that gives their music an added sense of discovery when you realize just how good it is.

And "Let's Build A Fire" is a prime example of how good it is. Incorporating keyboards, drum machines, and samples into a more traditional indie-rock mix of angular guitar-bursts and clear, up-front vocals, +/- is nearly as unpretentious and understated as they are arty and daring.

An incredible amount of restraint is shown on "Fadeout," the song that will likely ensnare your ears first. You keep expecting it to burst out of its skin, and when it finally does -- much too late for the ADD attention span of alternative-rock radio -- it is eminently more satisfying. It is a contagious song.

In fact, on first listen the entire album seems a bit understated: mid-tempo indie rock with occasional wiry parts to leaven the songs. Chances are, though, repeated listens will reveal just how darn good this is as you peel it layer by layer. It's like eating at a restaurant that knows they don't have to be fancy or expensive, they just have to be delicious and attentive.

I'd call this a good place to start with +/- (which is headed up by former Versus guitarist James Baluyut) because, well, it's where I'm starting and it has inspired me to seek out their other releases. It's music for the devout indie rock fan, if you're done with all the big names who already have 33 1/3 books.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Indie Music, October 27, 2008

By 

Michael Ricks (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let's Build Fire (Audio CD)

One of the best bands around today, and what a wonderful album. They make odd time signatures flow so well, better than any other band I've heard. The music is beautiful. The lyrics evoke so much emotion. Buy this album now!