Fang Island - Fang Island

Like a great deal of people, I was first introduced to Fang Island through the recent Pitchfork review of the self-titled second release by the Brooklyn band, in which it received an 8.3. I often download too much music and find myself shuffling around an album or two to see whether or not I want to continue my listening. I immediately flipped through a couple cuts off this record and wrote it off as “not being up my alley,” which I am sure I can see a lot of music listeners doing. However, when I got a text from my friend Adri telling me to check it out, I figured I would give it another try. Since that text, I have listened to this album nonstop for the last week.

The first track on the album, “Dream of Dreams” starts with the crackling of what sounds like a backyard firework show. However, the album quickly erupts into the 4th of July on the Hudson. Fang Island's self-titled album is the most epic piece of music I have heard since last year’s Crack The Skye by metal group Mastodon. From “Daisy” to “Davy Crockett” this album is  larger-than-life in its textures and limitless in its parameter.

Looking back on why I initially did not like this band comes down to the fact that Fang Island occasionally reminds of some shitty emo band that you can hear on MTV. This album does not have the whining vocals, but a lot of the melodiousness on the record sounds similar to a band that would be trying too hard to show off. However, this band keeps it together. In particular, the drumming is phenomenal. Fang Island’s musicality on this album is really something to be admired. There are so many points where I thought the complex rhythms and riffs would be too much, but the band never lets down.

I think Fang Island is one of the first big cross genre albums of the year. Of course, one can argue that bands like Gorillaz have already done this with Plastic Beach, but I think this album is a little different. I feel like most indie listeners like a great deal of good rap, especially the rap that is featured on Plastic Beach, but if there is anything that indie listeners can’t stand, it is crappy emo bands. I can see both indie kids liking this record and their weirdo friends who have a taste for the more cliché emo rock giving this album a worthy listen. I highly recommend this album.

Rating: 87/100

- Greg