Fang Island - Fang Island
by Paul Waller
published: 10 / 6 / 2010
Label:
Sargent House
Format: CD
intro
Surprisingly upbeat and exuberant rock on debut album from Fang Island, the new instrumental project of Nicholas Sadler, the former guitarist with hardcore noise group, Daughters
The guitarist from Fang Island, Nicholas Andrew Sadler played in one of my personal favourite hardcore noise titans, Daughters. Now that band has sadly split and left us with one great final record (the self titled LP on Hydra Head Records) Nicholas has found himself making a rather flamboyant u-turn with Fang Island. Instead of mathy testosterone fuelled riffs and belched vocals Fang Island find themselves on the verge of something quite different. After a successful SXSW appearance they have become a buzz band that your hipster buddies can name drop without fear of losing scene points. Whatever prompted this change for Andrew one thing is clear, judging from each and every song here, he is in a much happier place. For what must be the first time ever the press release nails it by telling us Fang Island is the sound of “everyone high-fiving everyone”. This record is ridiculously pleased with it self, major keys are utilised at every turn, and the choral harmonies are so euphoric on tracks such as ‘The Illinois’ and ‘Daisy’ that its hard to not smile the whole way through them. If you are looking for an unashamed party band you have found them here. There is nothing overtly commercial though like you would find on, say a Weezerrecord, the lack of vocals sees to that, but when the likes of ‘Sideswiper’ kicks in words can’t describe the wave of joy that hits the listener. In all seriousness there is nothing out there like this. It’s inspirational in its scope but never over the top. Well, perhaps the classic rock guitar heroics during ‘Davey Crockett’ are just a little shall we say exuberant but on the whole the means justifies the ends. Fang Island have produced a stunning debut here and one that leaves you with a massive grin on your face. How long they can keep up the good vibes will be interesting to see, it makes for a refreshing change to have a band to be so joyous for once.
Track Listing:-
1 Dreams Of Dreams2 Careful Crossers
3 Daisy
4 Life Coach
5 Sideswiper
6 The Illinois
7 Treeton
8 Davey Crockett
9 Welcome Wagon
10 Dorian
11 Absolute Place (Yeasayer Remix)
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