Customer Reviews

So Long Someday

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

 

 

Amy. Caroline. Lorraine. And the ten other unnamed women who variously broke the singer's heart, left without looking back, or (worst of all) left and came back -- this is the sun that Planet Firecracker orbits. it's a cliché that all songs are about love, yet Firecracker's deft writing -- the entire band is credited as songwriters, so who am I to speculate where the lyrics come from -- manages to elude triteness and ring graceful new changes on the age-old country themes.

It's good to start with the writing, because unless you're Oasis you can't turn lead into gold. The better news is that the songs are well-served by the musical setting. The band is tight and ferocious without being undisciplined. Listen to the way "Hey, Amy" or "(I'm Sorry) Caroline" build to climaxes all the more powerful for their restraint. You can tell there's more there, held back.

Underneath the pedal steels and Hammond organs there's a solid rock pulse that keeps the songs from getting soggy in their country affect. Peter Craft's drums and Gardner May's bass are locked tight and provide propulsion for Dave Strahan's skirling guitar solos and Russ Tillitt's honky-tonk piano. Again, all competent bands can play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, but Firecracker's sound is expanded nicely by pedal steel, mellotron, banjo, and especially Scout's acoustic guitar -- always present and adding a solid rhythmic anchor and a warmth to their sound.

Speaking of Scout, he should insure his voice: it's a great country-rock instrument, soaring and lyrical, with the slight catch that puts songs like "Without Even Trying" or "Valley of the Moon" over the top where they belong. Hey bartender, another round! Russ' and Dave's backing vocals fit smoothly around his lead, apparently effortlessly.

In fact the whole record sounds so easy and effortless you'd never know from listening that this is the first full-length album, recorded locally in San Francisco. There's a nice gloss to the production that's not too sweet but suits the tartness of the songs. All in all, "So Long Someday" bears up very well to repeated listening, from quietly grooving to "Boy Most Likely" at work to howling along with "Box of Hearts" in the car. An auspicious and most welcome debut.

Pre-Gap Ryan Adams? Being There-era Wilco? Following the same arc as Old 97's?

Like the Old 97's, this band, a former member of the neo-alt-country movement of the late 90s, has burgeoned from its roots rock past to form a sound that is unique, yet comfortably familiar at the same time. Gracious hooks, minimal, but just enough studio trickery, a crackled voice always on the verge of being swallowed by its own emotion, and an oh-so-sweet trickle of piano.

And Damn! The song penned by good ol' Rhett Miller is not even the best song on the CD (sorry Rhett, you can always fall back on your looks). Nope, the best tracks are Mississippi River (with that simple yet tingly banjo), (I'm Sorry) Caroline, and Promising.

This record is fabulous. Promising has one of the catchiest guitar riffs I've ever heard, destined to play itself in your head for days afterwards. I wouldn't be surprised if Mississippi River and I'm Sorry Caroline get stuck in there as well. Without Even Trying, however, is my favorite song on the record. It achingly describes the wish that everything could be just a little bit different.

I bought this record after hearing about Firecracker through some friends, and was truly impressed. Their EP from a few years ago was interesting, but nowhere near the top form of this album. The obscure Rhett Miller tune was one of the best, although the band does a great job on everything from pop rock to country swing.

This band churns out competant roots rock along the vein of Pennsylvania band Frog Holler...lots of start-stop rhythms, occasional forays into lite bluegrass, and The Old 97s...clean production/slightly rough hewn performance.

There is nothing particularly new or noteworthy going on here. Whomever handes the bulk of the vocals has a nice silky smooth, somewhat fey, voice, which he only occasionally injects with feeling.

More energy and better vocals would definitely help. The CD doesn't really take off until the sixth track, the excellent Boy Most Likely. Other highlights are Hey Amy, Box of Hearts and too short So Long Lorraine.

Overall, a satisfying CD, but not more. Definitely not five stars!