Fang Island: Fang Island

I got my tickets for the Flaming Lips about a week ago. First thing I noticed when I got them was the opening act: Fang Island. Never had I heard about them, not even their name, was it just once.

More intrigued than ever to find what the Lips had planned for what promises to be a very exciting experience, I started listening to the few songs they had uploaded on YouTube and MySpace.

I was instantly amused by the coolness of their album cover. What I didn’t know is that this is like nothing you’ve heard before. Ranging from math-rock to post-rock, stopping by power-metal, Fang Island delivers a huge dose of very melodic progressive music. If I had to put their songs into video, I’d simply think of everyone high-fiving everyone in between explosions and rainbows. Oh yeah.

Most of the songs are driven by heavily distorted guitars and very few, if any lyrics. The group’s lead single, “Daisy” is a wild party of melodic guitars, organ and epic chanted vocals. You can’t help but smile when you hear the brilliant, astonishing and eclectic “Sideswiper”. The sublime beauty of the guitar harmonies is refreshing, and it feels good to hear something unusual in these days of globalization and progress towards a homogeneous culture…

“Life Coach” is a definite earworm, taking its roots from celtic and baroque music. Use of multiple tempi and odd time signatures makes it very interesting for anyone who has a basic understanding of music theory. According to Jason Bartell, guitarist, their goal is to “make music for people who like music”. Well two thumbs up, Fang Island.

Sounds like these guys are having a lot of fun. So will you, when you listen to their near 32 minutes short debut album, released on Sargent House in February.

Fang Island

Rating: 7.5

I recommend it if you like: Progressive rock, math-rock.

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